Germany Delays Mandatory Animal Welfare Labels for Pork Until 2026

The Agricultural Ministers' Conference cites logistical challenges for the postponement, leaving the law's broader future uncertain under a likely CDU-SPD government.

• The mandatory labeling law for fresh pork, initially set for August 2025, has been postponed to January 1, 2026, due to significant implementation challenges.
• The decision was made during the Agricultural Ministers' Conference in Baden-Baden, with officials emphasizing the need for legal and planning certainty for farmers.
• The labeling system categorizes pork production into five levels, ranging from legal minimum standards to organic certification, aiming to improve animal welfare and transparency.
• Plans to expand the labeling system to processed products, gastronomy, and other animal species remain uncertain following the collapse of the Ampel coalition.
• Voluntary labeling systems introduced by supermarkets in 2019 will continue to operate, covering beef, pork, and poultry.

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