Animal Welfare for Everyone. And for Each One: An Overview of All Initiative Tierwohl Programs.
Initiative Tierwohl offers programs tailored to different requirement levels to promote animal welfare at the farm production level. Livestock farmers who want to improve animal welfare in their barns will find the right program with us.
Expanding animal welfare on a broader scale with the core program “Initiative Tierwohl Barn + Space”
The program’s level corresponds to level 2 of the standardized housing condition labeling system. Participation is possible for pigs, chickens, turkeys, cattle, and Pekin ducks.
Raising the level of animal welfare with the programs “Initiative Tierwohl Fresh Air Barn” and “Initiative Tierwohl Outdoor Access”
The programs correspond to levels 3 and 4 of the system for standardized housing condition labeling. The two programs are initially aimed at pig, chicken, and turkey farmers. A corresponding program for cattle is currently being developed.
Animal Welfare Programs with a System
“Initiative Tierwohl Fresh Air Barn” and “Initiative Tierwohl Outdoor Access” build on the requirements of the ITW “Barn + Space” program, but each includes additional, higher standards.
The new ITW program “Initiative Tierwohl Fresh Air Barn” therefore builds on participation and all other requirements of the “Initiative Tierwohl Barn + Space” program, such as participation in specific monitoring programs, training measures, and species-specific requirements—like lighting programs and foot health for poultry, as well as pen structure and roughage for pigs. In addition, it includes further requirements, such as exposure to outdoor climate stimuli and increased space allowances.
The new ITW program “Initiative Tierwohl Outdoor Access” also builds upon all requirements of the “Initiative Tierwohl Barn + Space” program, but adds further requirements, such as increased space allowances and continuous access to outdoor areas.
Thanks to this criteria-based system, the ITW programs build on one another. For livestock farmers, this offers the advantage of greater flexibility to switch between programs. Meanwhile, marketers can, if needed, sell products from a higher-level program within a lower-level ITW program without quantity restrictions.
Three ITW Programs for Different Requirement Levels
To participate in the Initiative Tierwohl, livestock farmers must implement a set of animal welfare–promoting criteria. Clearly defined, concise requirements apply to all farmers. This ensures that the Initiative Tierwohl seal can consistently communicate the way the animals are kept.
This ensures that the products belong to a defined supply chain, meaning they can be traced back to the farm. Within the Initiative Tierwohl, this allows products to be labeled with the seal, so consumers can recognize meat from ITW farms in the store.
Products from farms certified under “Initiative Tierwohl Barn + Space” are labeled with our seal. Products from “Initiative Tierwohl Fresh Air Barn” and “Initiative Tierwohl Outdoor Access” farms are expected to carry the corresponding seal from mid-2026, allowing consumers to recognize them.
Participation in the ITW Programs at a Glance: Join Now or Step Up!
- Enrollment begins March 2026
- Audits start in April
- Product seal in retail food stores expected from mid-2026
- “Barn + Space” has already been established in poultry, cattle, and piglet production, with participation possible at any time.
- NEW: “Fresh Air Barn” and “Outdoor Access” programs will initially launch for poultry and pig farmers.
- Interested parties should contact their coordinators.
- Weiterführende Detailinformationen wie Teilnahmebedingungen und Kriterienkataloge sind hier hinterlegt