More and more consumers are placing greater importance on improved animal welfare and want to shop more consciously. However, it is not always easy to tell what conditions lie behind the products on supermarket shelves. Labelling indicating the farming method for meat provides guidance in this regard. It is divided into five categories, each defining different standards for the rearing of pigs, chickens and turkeys.
5 stages of animal welfare
Haltungsform 2: Stall plus Platz
The lowest level of labelling is Housing Category 1 – indoor housing. This meets the statutory minimum requirements in Germany and is the most common form of livestock farming. In housing category 1, the animals are kept in enclosed stables, with space allowances meeting the statutory minimum requirements. They are fed conventionally with standard feed such as soya and cereals, which meet the animals’ basic nutritional needs. To ensure compliance with these requirements, regular inspections are carried out in accordance with the statutory minimum standards.
Overview stage 1
| criterion | Haltungsform 1 |
| space per fattening pig (50 bis 110 kg) | 0,75 m² |
| space per young bull (über 400 kg) | 2,2 m² |
| place per broiler | up to 39 kg/m² |
| activity | minimum requirements (straw, wood, simple materials) |
| feeding | conventional feed (soya, cereals) |
| Access to the outdoor environment | no access |
| controlling | statutory minimum standards |
Haltungsform 2: Stall plus Platz
And what does Housing Category 2 mean? The second level, Stall plus Platz, goes beyond the statutory minimum requirements and offers the animals improved living conditions. They are given up to 10% more space than in Housing Category 1, which slightly increases their freedom of movement. In addition, the presence of natural daylight helps to create a more natural environment inside the barn.
Another important aspect is the feed, which is of a higher quality than under the statutory minimum standards. For pigs, roughage such as straw or hay is also provided, which supports their natural rooting behaviour and helps keep them occupied. Feeding racks are also used to ensure an even distribution of feed. Furthermore, the animals are provided with more opportunities for activity, including structured pen areas with straw or wood, which make their environment more varied. Hygiene standards are also improved to minimise the risk of infection. Adjusted lighting also helps to promote a natural day-night rhythm.
Meat bearing the Animal Welfare Initiative seal comes from farms that provide their animals with at least housing category 2. The Animal Welfare Initiative is committed to improving conditions in livestock farming and defines specific animal welfare criteria that go beyond the statutory minimum requirements. These include, amongst other things, an optimised housing structure, additional opportunities for enrichment, and regular animal health checks by independent inspection bodies. Participation in the initiative is voluntary for farmers, but participating farms commit to complying with these requirements, which are monitored at set intervals.
Overview stage 2
| criterion | Haltungsform 2 (Stallhaltung Plus) |
| space per fattening pig (50 bis 110 kg) | 0,84 m² |
| space per young bull (more than 400 kg) | 3,0 m² |
| space per broiler | up to 35 kg/m² |
| activity | More activity materials (straw, scratching stones, roughage) |
| feeding | A higher-quality feed mix, partly containing roughage |
| Access to the outdoor environment | no access |
| controlling | Additional checks beyond the statutory minimum requirements |
Haltungsform 3: Außenklima
In the third stage, ‘Outdoor Access’, the animals are provided with at least 40% more space than the statutory minimum requirement. A key difference from previous housing systems is access to an outdoor area, provided via open barn sections or partially covered open spaces. This allows the animals to breathe fresh air and express their natural behaviour.
In addition, they benefit from expanded opportunities for activity, which create a more varied environment and contribute to their well-being. They are fed high-quality feed, often produced locally, which is generally GMO-free. In addition to the extra space and outdoor areas, animal health is also monitored more closely. Housing at this level includes regular health checks as well as stress-reducing measures, for example through the structured design of the outdoor areas.
Overview stage 3
| criterion | Haltungsform 3 (Außenklima) |
| space per fattening pig (50 to 120 kg) | 1,3 m² |
| space per young bull (more than 400 kg) | 4,0 m² |
| space per broiler | 29 kg/m² (Stall mit Kaltscharraum) oder max. 25 kg/m² ohne |
| activity | Erweiterte Beschäftigungsmöglichkeiten (zusätzliche Wühlmaterialien, Picksteine) |
| feeding | Hochwertiges, gentechnikfreies Futter, oft regional |
| access to the outdoor environment | Access to outdoor areas |
| controlling | Advanced health checks |
Haltungsform 4: Auslauf/Weide
This level represents particularly animal-welfare-friendly conditions that significantly exceed the statutory minimum standards. Animals in this housing system have at least 100% more space than required by law and permanent access to outdoor areas such as covered exercise pens, pasture or outdoor areas with fresh air.
Housing type 4 is also characterised by a wide range of enrichment opportunities and structured housing areas. The animals are fed high-quality feed from conventional, but often sustainable, farming. The aim of this level is to make animal welfare aspects visible and transparent even in conventional production.
Overview stage 4
| criterion | Haltungsform 4 (Auslauf/Weide) |
| space per fattening pig (50 to 120 kg) | 1,5 m², by that 0,5 m² in the outdoor area |
| space per young bull (more than 400 kg) | 5 m², min. 1 m²/100 kg |
| space per broiler | up to 25 kg/m² |
| activity | A variety of enrichment materials (things to root around in, scratch at, straw, roughage) |
| feeding | Feed free from genetically modified organisms, with at least 60% of the feed sourced from the farm itself or from the local region |
| access to the outdoor environment | Pasture or free-range rearing |
| controlling | Advanced controlling |
The new ‘Haltungsform 5 – Bio’ label now applies to all organically produced products that were previously classified under the former ‘Haltungsform 4 – Premium’ category. This highest level in the system denotes certified organic animal husbandry in accordance with the standards of the EU Organic Regulation or private organic associations such as Bioland, Naturland or Demeter.
The animals have significantly more space, year-round access to outdoor runs or pasture, as well as opportunities for retreat and enrichment within the barn. They are fed organic feed, most of which comes from certified organic cultivation. At the same time, strict guidelines apply regarding the avoidance of genetic engineering, the use of antibiotics and unnecessary interventions.
Overview stage 5
| criterion | Haltungsform 5 (Bio) |
| space per fattening pig | up to 110 kg: at least 1.5 m² indoors and 1.2 m² of outdoor space |
| space per young bull (more than 350 kg) | 5 m², min. 1 m²/100 kg |
| space per broiler | up to 21 kg/m² |
| activity | A variety of enrichment materials (things to root around in, scratch at, straw, roughage) |
| feeding | Only non-genetically modified feed; feed must come from organic production |
| access to the outdoor environment | Pen rearing with access to an exercise area or pasture |
| controlling | advanced controlling |
Who invented it?
The farming method label was developed by a cross-sector initiative, launched primarily by leading German food retailers, with the aim of establishing a standardised system for labelling animal husbandry conditions. The objective was to provide consumers with transparent guidance when purchasing meat and dairy products.
The classification of farming methods is based on existing legal requirements (e.g. the Animal Welfare and Livestock Management Ordinance) as well as additional private standards such as the Animal Welfare Initiative, the German Animal Welfare Federation, Naturland or Bioland. The criteria for the individual levels were developed by industry representatives, agricultural associations and animal welfare organisations and focus on the key aspects of space allowance, housing structure, outdoor climate, enrichment, feeding and monitoring mechanisms. The implementation and further development of the housing system labelling is carried out by the ‘Haltungsform Initiative’, which acts as a joint platform for the participating retail companies.
Guidance for consumers
The farming system label provides consumers with clear information about the conditions under which farm animals are kept. The four levels highlight significant differences in space allowance, access to the outdoors, feeding, enrichment opportunities and monitoring mechanisms. Whilst Farming Method 1 meets the statutory minimum requirements, Farming Methods 2 and 3 improve conditions through more space, optimised feeding and expanded opportunities for activity. The highest level, Farming Method 4, covers free-range and organic farming, which offer animals the greatest freedom of movement, high-quality feed and particularly strict controls.
Consumers who place greater value on animal welfare can use their purchasing decisions to specifically choose products that correspond to a higher farming standard. At the same time, the gradual improvement of farming conditions across the various levels helps to sustainably advance animal welfare in livestock farming. Regular inspections ensure that the defined requirements are met.
