"The current pictures have caused us great consternation, as they once again make abuses in animal husbandry visible. The industry must no longer ignore this and we must unite in our commitment to humans and animals. There is a clear need for more awareness of the proper treatment of farm animals. Because violating the Animal Welfare Act and the Animal Welfare Ordinance is no trivial offence. I appeal to all those responsible to show more appreciation for animals in all areas - from fattening to transport to slaughter. After all, these are living creatures that must be kept in a manner appropriate to their species, not industrial products. Our customers have no understanding for these misdemeanours," says Marcel Haraszti, REWE International AG Management Board member.
"Therefore, all stakeholders along the entire value chain must tackle significant improvements. Agriculture, politics, trade and consumers are equally challenged here. We are ready to talk at any time," emphasises Marcel Haraszti, and continues: "It is also essential to tighten legal controls, which AMA has already carried out and strengthened, and to increase the monitoring of animal welfare - there is still a lot of room for improvement in Austria. We at BILLA show in the context of the "Fair zum Tier" initiative that a significant improvement in conventional animal husbandry is possible with our partners. "Fair zum Tier" farms will be inspected at least twice a year in 2023, which is above the legal standards. Due to current events, we have immediately initiated additional inspections, some of which are unannounced and carried out by external inspection bodies and auditors. This gives our customers the greatest possible certainty and security in their purchases.
Fresh meat in all BILLA and BILLA PLUS service counters from Easter 2023 onwards, Austria-wide and 100% in animal welfare quality
It is a matter close to BILLA's heart that every Austrian can enjoy their food with a clear conscience. For 29 years, the organic brand Ja! Natürlich organic brand has been offering products that meet the highest animal welfare standards. In addition, the food retailer has been offering exclusively 100 per cent fresh meat from Austria in its markets since 2020. Under the umbrella of the animal welfare offensive "Fair zum Tier" (Fair to Animals), BILLA is establishing a quality level with Austria's largest animal welfare assortment that far exceeds the legal requirements and continuously improves the living and husbandry conditions of farm animals. In the course of this, BILLA, as a pioneer in the animal welfare sector, started the conversion of its service counters to fresh meat in animal welfare quality last autumn, which will be completed throughout Austria by Easter 2023.
"We are able to implement the conversion in our 200 BILLA and BILLA PLUS stores with service counters earlier than originally planned and will only offer meat in animal welfare quality from Ja! Natürlich or "Fair zum Tier" from Austria. When our customers choose fresh meat on sale, they can be sure that the conditions under which the animals are kept meet the highest quality standards and they also receive the best advice from our meat sellers," says Haraszti.
Austria's most sustainable Leberkässemmel
The food retailer is steadily expanding its animal welfare range both in delicatessen and self-service. For example, since last year BILLA has been offering meat loaf in animal welfare quality and made from 100 percent Austrian meat in BILLA and BILLA PLUS markets. In the Ja! Natürlich organic sandwich, the favourite snack of Austrians has become the fairest and most sustainable snack in the country. Customers who choose Austria's most sustainable Leberkässemmel are guaranteed that the pigs have 100 per cent more space in the barn, a run with fresh air and daylight, as well as a lying area in the straw. Furthermore, keeping the pigs on fully slatted floors and removing their curly tails is prohibited without exception. Only GMO-free feed from Europe is fed.
