A legally binding animal welfare labelling must apply from the beginning to all market participants as well as to gastronomy and communal catering and not only to the food trade in order to achieve a corresponding effect.
There is a need for uniform labelling that is easy for customers to understand.
Labelling should apply to all livestock species and product groups - this requires close cooperation with agriculture and all producers.
BILLA already plays a pioneering role in labelling with 100% fresh meat from Austria and animal welfare programmes from Ja! Natürlich (Yes! Of course) or "Fair zum Tier" (Fair to animals)
Marcel Haraszti, Executive Board Member of REWE International AG, explains: "Animal welfare is a task for society as a whole and requires a change in the system. Livestock labelling is an essential step in this direction. This will make it comprehensible and transparent for consumers under which conditions an animal was kept and we can support our customers in making a conscious purchase decision at the shelf. In addition to the food trade and agriculture as a foundation, manufacturers, the catering industry and communal catering are also in demand here. Above all, however, it is up to the politicians to create the appropriate framework conditions and to take concrete measures."
The following criteria are important for animal welfare labelling as an effective measure in terms of animal welfare: The labelling must apply to all sales channels and all market participants from the very beginning, which includes not only the food trade but also in particular the catering industry and communal catering, where more than half of the meat in Austria is marketed. Furthermore, the livestock labelling should apply to all farm animal species along the value chain and include all product groups, accordingly not only for fresh meat, but also for eggs, milk as well as sausages and other processed products. And Haraszti adds: "It is time to push ahead with this important further development. We take responsibility out of our role as food traders, but the food trade alone cannot manage this change - a problem for society as a whole requires a joint solution. And that only works in close coordination and the willingness of all those involved."
BILLA is a pioneer with 100 percent fresh meat from Austria as well as the initiative "Fair zum Tier" and the organic pioneer Ja! Natürlich
For more than two years, BILLA customers have been able to rely on getting 100 percent fresh meat from Austria, including turkey meat as well as pork, beef and poultry. This success is based on the very good cooperation with domestic agriculture. With the organic own brand Ja! Natürlich organic brand and the "Fair zum Tier" label, we have already set important standards and made a clear commitment to greater animal welfare. The "Fair zum Tier" initiative has set itself the goal of improving the living and husbandry conditions of domestic farm animals with what will in future be Austria's largest range of animal welfare products, to initiate a change in the system and to establish standards that are significantly higher than the current legal level.
From October onwards, fresh meat from animal welfare programmes will be available at BILLA and BILLA PLUS
The next milestone and a further expansion of the animal welfare range will take place in autumn: from October 2022, fresh meat served at BILLA and BILLA PLUS will gradually be switched to meat from animal welfare programmes from 'Fair zum Tier' and Ja! Natürlich programmes. The 'Fair zum Tier' programme will be significantly expanded and animal welfare and regional origin will be promoted at the same time.
