Minimum area of loose housing per animal:

up to 150 kg minimum surface area

1.5 m²/animal;

up to 220 kg 1.7 m²

up to 400 kg 1.8 m²

over 400 kg 2.2m²

Minimum area of loose housing per animal:

up to 150 kg minimum surface area

1.5 m²/animal;

up to 220 kg 1.8 m²

up to 400 kg 2.5 m²

over 400 kg 3m²

Minimum area of loose housing per animal:

up to 150 kg minimum surface area

1.5 m²/animal;

up to 220 kg 2 m²

up to 400 kg 3 m²

over 400 kg 4m²

Minimum area of loose housing per animal:

up to 150 kg minimum surface area

1.5 m²/animal;

up to 220 kg 2.5 m²

up to 400 kg 4 m²

over 400 kg 5m² but at least 1m²/100 kg

Minimum area of loose housing per animal:

up to 100 kg 1.5 m²;

up to 200 kg 2.5 m²;

up to 350 kg 4 m²;

over 350 kg 5 m², but at least 1 m²/100 kg

Stallhaltung; möglichst Laufstallhaltung

Anbindehaltung

Loose housing; or for oxen and heifers: combination housing¹ with access to fields (at least 120 days for 2 hours a day) or with yard or exercise pen with at least 4.5 m² / animal

The exercise area must consist of at least 16 m² of contiguous space

For bulls: no tethered housing

Laufstallhaltung mit ganzjährig nutzbarem Laufhof (mind. 3 m²/Tier im Laufhof)

or Laufstallhaltung mit Weidegang (mind. 120 Tage / 6 h)

or Offenfront­laufstall

keine Anbindehaltung

loose housing with constant access to the outdoors:
Playpen (at least 3m²/animal)

or Pasture

No tethering

Free-range housing with outdoor runs

or Pasture

No tethering*

< 6 weeks: by the farmer with pain relief

< 6 weeks: by the farmer with pain relief

< 6 weeks: by the farmer with pain relief

Only in exceptional cases, dehorning of < 6 week-old calves by vet only, with anaesthesia, pain relief is required

Only in exceptional cases, dehorning of < 6 week-old calves by vet only, with anaesthesia, pain relief is required

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

No GM feed for the entire fattening phase, however at least 6 weeks before slaughter

– Futtermittel ohne Gentechnik 

– mind. 60 % der Futtermittel aus
the own company or from
the region

– mind. 60 % der Trockenmasse
fresh, dried or
ensiled roughage in the daily ration during the fattening phase

at least 6 months before slaughter

– Ausschließlich Futtermittel ohne Gentechnik

– Futtermittel müssen aus ökologischer Erzeugung stammen

– mind. 70 % Futtermittel aus dem eigenen Betrieb bzw. aus der Region

– mind. 60 % der Trockenmasse frisches, getrocknetes oder siliertes Raufutter in der Tagesration

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database)

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring (enter into the QS database)

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database)

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring (enter into the QS database)

1. recording of findings data at the slaughterhouse

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

1. recording of findings data at the slaughterhouse

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body according to the QS inspection system

Inspection of all companies by neutral certification bodies, according to the ITW inspection system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Official inspection of all farms in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation or growers' association, at least once a year

QS or other comparable programme

Animal Welfare Initiative or comparable programme

Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme

Certified according to EU organic regulation

Or in accordance with the requirements of the organic farming associations, which guarantee a higher quality standard than the EU Organic Regulation.

Minimum area/animal
• 30-50 kg: 0,5 m²
• 50-110 kg: 0,75 m²
• Over 110 kg: 1,0 m²

Minimum area/animal
• 30-50 kg: 0,563 m²
• 50-110 kg: 0,844 m²
• Over 110 kg: 1,125 m²

Minimum area/animal

Open front sty¹:
• 30-50 kg: 0,7 m²
• 50-120 kg 1,3 m²
• Über 120 kg: 1,5 m²

Sty with outdoor area²:
• 30-50 kg 0,7 m²
• 50-120 kg 1,1 m²
• Over 120 kg: 1,4 m²

Minimum area/animal²
• 30-50 kg: 0,75 m²,
of which 0,25 m² in the
outdoor area
• 50-120 kg: 1,5 m²,
of which 0,5 m² in the
outdoor area
• Over120 kg: 2,3 m²,
of which 0,8 m² in the
outdoor area

Minimum area/animal
< 110 kg: 1.3 m² in the sty and 1 m² outdoor area
• > 110 kg: 1.5 m² in the sty
and 1.2 m² outdoor area

Indoor

Indoor with crate structuring, at least 3 elements per crate

Indoor with outdoor climate stimuli: open-fronted sty or sty with permanent access to outdoor areas

Indoor with constant access to outdoor areas or free-range housing

Indoor with constant access to outdoor areas or free-range housing

Organic, crude fibre-rich feed material

Organic, crude fiber-rich activity material

Additional roughage

Organic, crude fiber-rich activity material
Additional straw (as litter or roughage) or comparable
material

Organic, crude fiber-rich activity material
Additional straw (as litter or roughage) or comparable material

organic activity material:
straw or comparable substrates
Burrowing material in the outdoor area

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

Feed without genetic engineering
or
Regional animal feed

 

during the entire fattening phase

Feed without genetic engineering
at least 20 % feed from the company's own farm or from the region

 

during the entire fattening phase

Only feed without genetic engineering
Feed must come from organic production
Min. 30 % feed from the company's own farm or from the region

1. participation in QS Diagnostic Data Monitoring or in a monitoring system recognized by QS as comparable

2. participation in QS antibiotics monitoring or in monitoring recognized by QS as comparable

1. participation in QS Diagnostic Data Monitoring or in a monitoring system recognized by QS as comparable

2. participation in QS antibiotics monitoring or in monitoring recognized by QS as comparable

1. participation in Diagnostic Data Monitoring

 

2. participation in
antibiotics monitoring

 

This applies to both:
Central collection, evaluation, benchmarking & feedback compared to the QS system

1. recording of findings data at the slaughterhouse

2. Qualified antibiotic monitoring

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body according to the QS inspection system

Inspection of all companies by neutral certification bodies, according to the ITW inspection system

Inspection of all companies by neutral certification bodies, according to the ITW inspection system

Inspection of all companies by neutral certification bodies, according to the ITW inspection system

Inspection of all companies in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation or growers' association, at least once a year

Eligibility of delivery of the farms for ITW or a standard recognized by ITW as comparable

Eligibility of delivery of the farms for ITW or a standard recognized by ITW as comparable

Eligibility of delivery of the farms for a programme registered in the Haltungsform
Even in the case of recognition of programmes among each other, these programmes must be registered for the respective haltungsform level.

As a basis, the programme requires either an eligibility of delivery of the farms for ITW or a standard recognized by ITW as comparable. Or the programme defines comparable requirements and has these checked via its own audits.
Oder das Programm definiert vergleichbare Anforderungen und lässt diese über die eigenen Audits kontrollieren.

Eligibility of delivery of the farms according to the EU Organic Regulation or in accordance with the requirements of organic farming associations, which guarantee a higher quality standard than the EU Organic Regulation.

max. 58 kg/m² cocks

max. 52 kg/m² hens

max. 53 kg/m² for cocks

max. 48 kg/m² for hens

(At least 10% more space than legally required)

max. 41 kg/m² for cocks

max. 37 kg/m² for hens

(At least 30% more space than legally required)

max. 21 kg/m²

(At least 60% more space than legally required)

max. 21 kg/m²

 

max. 2,500 turkeys in the barn

Indoor

Indoor

Indoor with permanent access to the outdoor climate

Indoor with access to outdoor areas for at least 1/3 of their life - the outdoor areas must be mostly vegetated;

Structural elements must provide shelter for the animals

Stable housing with access to the open air for at least 1/3 of their lifetime, whenever the weather permits.

 

At least 10 m² per animal in the run.

 

The area must be predominantly overgrown.

 

Structural elements must provide shelter for the animals

Dry bedding suitable for pecking, scratching and dust bathing

Additional activity material made of changeable and consumable material such as straw, picking stones.

 

At least 1 item per 400 m² or part thereof

Additional activity material made of changeable and consumable material such as straw, picking stones.

 

Per 400m² or part thereof
at least 2 items

 

or per 2,000 animals at least 3 bales of straw or hay and per
1,000 animals 1 picking item

Bedding in the form of straw, wood chips, sand or turf on at least 1/3 of the barn area

Bedding in the form of straw, wood chips, sand or turf on at least 1/3 of the barn area

Robust and healthy breeding lines

Robust and healthy breeding lines

Robust and healthy breeding lines;

slow-growing strains (max. weight gain of 110 g per day)

or fast-growing strains if the minimum slaughtering age of 140 days (cocks) and 100 days (hens) is complied with

Robust and healthy breeding lines

 

Slow-growing breed (weight gain max. 110 g/day)

 

or fast-growing breeds with compliance with the minimum slaughter age of 140 days (cocks) or 100 days (hens).

Robust and healthy breeding lines;

slow-growing strains (max. weight gain of 110 g per day)

or fast-growing strains if the minimum slaughtering age of 140 days (cocks) and 100 days (hens) is complied with

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

No GM feed for the entire fattening phase, however no later than 10 weeks before slaughter

– Futtermittel ohne Gentechnik

 

– Mind. 20% aus dem eigenen Betrieb bzw. aus der Region während der gesamten Mastphase,

 

at least 10 weeks before slaughter

Only feed without genetic engineering

 

Feed from organic production

 

At least 30% from your own farm, or from the region.

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database)

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring (enter into the QS database)

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database)

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring (enter into the QS database)

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring;

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring;

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body according to the QS inspection system

Inspection of all companies by neutral certification bodies, according to the ITW inspection system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all companies in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation or growers' association, at least once a year

QS or other comparable programme

Animal Welfare Initiative or comparable programme

Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme

Certified in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation Or in accordance with the requirements of organic farming organisations, which guarantee a higher quality standard than the EU Organic Regulation.

max. 39 kg/m²

max. 35 kg/m²

max. 25 kg/m² or max. 29 kg/m² (barns with a cold scratching area)

max. 21 kg/m²

max. 21 kg/m²

Indoor

Indoor

Indoor with permanent access to the outdoor climate

Indoor with access to outdoor areas for at least 1/3 of their life - the outdoor areas must be mostly vegetated;

Structural elements must provide shelter for the animals

Stable housing with access to the open air whenever the weather permits, for at least 1/3 of their lifetime.

 

At least 4 m² per animal (for fixed stables), 2.5 m² (for mobile stables) in the outdoor area

 

The area must be predominantly overgrown.

 

Structural elements must provide shelter for the animals.

Dry bedding suitable for pecking, scratching and dust bathing

Additional activity material made of changeable and consumable material such as straw, picking stones.

 

At least one item per 150 m² or part thereof

Additional activity material made of changeable and consumable material such as straw, picking stones.

 

At least 2 items per 150 m² or part thereof

 

or at least 3 bales of straw or hay per 2000 animals and 1 picking object per 1000 animals

Bedding in the form of straw, wood chips, sand or turf on at least 1/3 of the barn area

Bedding in the form of straw, wood chips, sand or turf on at least 1/3 of the barn area

Robust and healthy breeding lines

Robust and healthy breeding lines

Robust and healthy breeding lines;

slow-growing strains (max. weight gain of 45 g per day, 51 g per day max. weight gain possible with gait score examinations)

or fast-growing strains if the minimum slaughtering age of 81 days is complied with

Robust and healthy breeding lines;

slow-growing strains (max. weight gain of 45 g per day)

or fast-growing strains if the minimum slaughtering age of 81 days is complied with

Robust and healthy breeding lines;

slow-growing strains (max. weight gain of 45 g per day)

or fast-growing strains if the minimum slaughtering age of 81 days is complied with

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

No GM feed for the entire fattening phase

Feed without genetic engineering

 

at least 20% from your own farm or from the region during the entire fattening phase

Only feed without genetic engineering

 

Feed from organic production

 

Min. 30% from your own company or region.

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database)

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring (enter into the QS database)

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database)

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring (enter into the QS database)

1. recording of findings data at the slaughterhouse

 

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring

 

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

1. recording of findings data at the slaughterhouse

 

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring

 

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body according to the QS inspection system

Inspection of all companies by neutral certification bodies, according to the ITW inspection system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all companies in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation or growers' association, at least once a year

QS or other comparable programme

Animal Welfare Initiative or comparable programme

Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme

Certified in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation Or in accordance with the requirements of organic farming organisations, which guarantee a higher quality standard than the EU Organic Regulation.

max. 20 kg/m²

max. 20 kg/m²

max. 20 kg/m²

or 25 kg/m² barn floor area if there is permanent access to open areas

max. 20 kg/m²

max. 21 kg/m²

Indoor

 

Systematic surgical interventions on the animals, such as the shortening of bills or claws, are not permitted

Stable housing; with daylight (window or light entry strip min. 3% of the stable floor area)

 

Systematic surgical interventions on the animals, such as the shortening of bills or claws, are not permitted

Open-front barns

 

or barns with constant access to covered or open spaces for the entire fattening period

 

With a barn area of 25 kg/m², the open spaces must be equivalent to at least half the size of the barn

 

Systematic surgical interventions on the animals, such as the shortening of bills or claws, are not permitted

Indoor with access to outdoor areas for at least half of their life

The outdoor areas must be mostly vegetated

2 m² of green space/animal

Systematic surgical interventions on the animals, such as the shortening of bills or claws, are not permitted

Stable housing with access to the open air for at least one third of their lifetime

The outdoor areas must be mostly vegetated

 

At least 4.5 m² per animal in the run

 

Systematic surgical interventions on the animals, such as the shortening of bills or claws, are not permitted

Dry bedding that is manipulable and suitable for dabbling

Fresh bedding every day

 

In addition, organic activity material;

 

Offered in racks or nets

Fresh bedding every day

 

In addition, organic activity material;

 

Offered in racks or nets

Fresh bedding every day

 

In addition, organic activity material;

 

Offered in racks or nets

At least one third of the floor area must be covered with litter material in the form of straw, wood shavings, sand or peat

Nipple drinkers or other similar drinkers

Additional drinkers that allow the ducks to submerge their entire head (at least one drinker for every 250 animals)

Additional drinkers that allow the ducks to submerge their entire head (at least one drinker for every 250 animals)

In addition to the drinkers: access to open areas of water for swimming, e.g. pond, stream, lake or artificial water basin (at least one body of water for every 1,000 animals that is at least 8 cm deep and with an area of at least 1.2 m²)

In addition to drinking troughs: access to open water for swimming, e.g. pond, stream, lake or artificial water basin (weather and hygiene conditions permitting)

Robust and healthy breeding lines

Robust and healthy breeding lines

minimum age at slaughter 35 days

Robust and healthy breeding lines

minimum age at slaughter 42 days

Robust and healthy breeding lines

slow-growing strains

minimum age at slaughter 49 days

Robust and healthy breeding lines

slow-growing strains

minimum age at slaughter 49 days

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

– Futtermittel ohne Gentechnik 

 

– min. 70% Getreide-Anteil in der Ration

 

during the entire fattening phase

– Futtermittel ohne Gentechnik 

 

– min. 25% aus dem eigenen Betrieb bzw. aus der Region

 

– 75% Getreide-Anteil in der Ration

 

during the entire fattening phase

Only feed without genetic engineering

 

30% from your own farm or from the region Fresh, dried or ensiled roughage must be added to the daily ration

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database)

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring (enter into the QS database)

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database)

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring (enter into the QS database)

1. recording of findings data at the slaughterhouse

 

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring

 

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

1. recording of findings data at the slaughterhouse

 

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring

 

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body according to the QS inspection system

Inspection of all companies by neutral certification bodies, according to the ITW inspection system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all companies in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation or growers' association, at least once a year

QS or other comparable programme

Animal Welfare Initiative or comparable programme

Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme

Certified in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation Or in accordance with the requirements of organic farming organisations, which guarantee a higher quality standard than the EU Organic Regulation.

Unobstructed floor area:
1-4 animals: 1,500 cm²/animal
5-10 animals: 1,000 cm²/animal
11-24 animals: 850 cm²/animal
25 or more animals: 700 cm²/animal

 

In addition, there must be a raised level: at least 300 cm²/animal

Unobstructed floor area:
1-4 animals: 1,650 cm²/animal
5-10 animals: 1,100 cm²/animal
11-24 animals: 935 cm²/animal
25 or more animals: 700 cm²/animal

 

In the stable: max. 20 kg/m²
  
In addition, an elevated level must be provided: at least 300 cm²/animal at a height of at least 27 cm.
The total size of the elevated level should be a maximum of 40% of the unobstructed floor area.

Unobstructed floor area:
1-4 animals: 2,100 cm²/animal
5-10 animals: 1,400 cm²/animal
11-24 animals: 1,190 cm²/animal
25 or more animals: 980 cm²/animal

 

In addition, an elevated level must be provided: at least 300 cm²/animal at a height of
at least 27 cm.
The total size of the elevated level should be a maximum of 40% of the unobstructed floor area.

Unobstructed floor area:
1-4 animals: 3,000 cm²/animal
5-10 animals: 2,000 cm²/animal
11-24 animals: 1,700 cm²/animal
25 or more animals: 1,400 cm²/animal

 

In the stable: max. 20 kg/m²
  
In addition, an elevated level must be provided: at least 300 cm²/animal at a height of at least 27 cm.
The total size of the elevated level should be a maximum of 40% of the unobstructed floor area.

Usable barn area/animal (without platforms):

Fixed stall: 2,000 cm²

Mobile barn: 1,500 cm²

 

In the stable: max. 20 kg/m²
  
In addition, an elevated level must be provided: at least 300 cm²/animal at a height of at least 27 cm.

The total size of the elevated level should be a maximum of 40% of the unobstructed floor area.

Stable/cage housing

 

Minimum size of the unobstructed floor area: minimum statutory requirement of 8000 cm² per housing unit

Group housing

 

Group size of at least 10 rabbits

 

Pens with open tops, no wire mesh floors

 

The animals must be able to hop at least twice in a row. As such, one side of the pen should be at least 1.8 m long if possible.

 

Min. 5% Daylight incidence (in relation to the stable floor area) for new buildings (= buildings that were approved or put into use after 11 August 2014)

Group housing with outdoor environment, e.g.: covered open spaces, open-front runs
Open front

 

Group sizes of at least 20 rabbits

 

Pens with open tops, no wire mesh floors

 

The animals must be able to hop at least twice in a row. As such, one side of the pen should be at least 1.8 m long if possible.

 

Minimum bedding area: 0.05 m²/animal

 

Structured environment with feeding, resting and general areas

 

Suitable places for hiding (tubes/holes)

Group housing with permanent access to open-air runs/fields 

or free-range

 

Group sizes of at least 20 rabbits

 

Pens with open tops, no wire mesh floors

 

The outside area on farms with permanent housing for the rabbits must be built so that there are enough elevated platforms evenly spread over the minimum area.

 

At least 50% of the total area must be in the form of a permanently secured outdoor or

 

Grazing area: 10 kg/m² and 2m² green run/animal

 

Year-round exercise/pasture area: max. 3.3 kg/m²

 

For pasture/free-range farming: Covered feeding stalls and nesting huts

 

Suitable hiding places (tubes/caves)

 

At least 2 consecutive hopping jumps must be possible. For this reason, one side should be at least 1.8 metres long if possible

Group housing with permanent access to open-air runs/fields

or free-range

 

Usable exercise area/animal (without platforms):

Fixed stall: 2,000 cm²

Mobile barn: 4,000 cm²

 

Dry laying and resting areas, no perforated construction.

 

Suitable hiding places (dark, tubes/caves)

 

Raised level (indoors and outdoors)

Constant access to coarsely structured roughage/hay cobs and suitable gnawing material e.g. soft wood/branches

Constant access to coarsely structured roughage/hay cobs and suitable gnawing material e.g. soft wood/branches

Constant access to coarsely structured roughage/hay cobs and suitable gnawing material e.g. soft wood/branches

Constant access to coarsely structured roughage/hay cobs and suitable gnawing material e.g. soft wood/branches

Access to coarse-textured roughage at all times if there is not enough grass available.

 

and suitable nailing material e.g. softwood/branches

Robust and healthy breeding lines

Robust and healthy breeding lines

Robust and healthy breeding lines

Robust and healthy breeding lines

Robust and healthy breeding lines that are adapted to outdoor husbandry.

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

only QS-approved or QS-recognised feeds

– QS-zugelassene bzw. QS-anerkannte Futter­mittel

 

– Futtermittel ohne Gentechnik

 

during the entire fattening phase

– QS-zugelassene bzw. QS-anerkannte Futtermittel (bei Zukauf) oder Bio/Öko-Futtermittel

 

– Futtermittel ohne Gentechnik 

 

– mind. 60% aus dem eigenen Betrieb bzw. aus der Region

 

during the entire fattening phase

Only feed without genetic engineering

 

Feed from organic production

 

at least 70% from own production or the region.

 

Basic feed must make up at least 60 % of the feed.

Documented animal health monitoring must be implemented in the respective programme, which includes the recording of diagnostic data at the slaughterhouse, mortality rates and the use of antibiotics on the farm.

Documented animal health monitoring must be implemented in the respective programme, which includes the recording of diagnostic data at the slaughterhouse, mortality rates and the use of antibiotics on the farm.

Documented animal health monitoring must be implemented in the respective programme, which includes the recording of diagnostic data at the slaughterhouse, mortality rates and the use of antibiotics on the farm.

Documented animal health monitoring must be implemented in the respective programme, which includes the recording of diagnostic data at the slaughterhouse, mortality rates and the use of antibiotics on the farm.

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least every three years

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all companies in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation or growers' association, at least once a year

Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme

Certified according to EU organic regulation

 

Or in accordance with the requirements of the organic farming associations, which guarantee a higher quality standard than the EU Organic Regulation.

Playpen with cubicles: Animal to cubicle ratio 1:1

Playpen with cubicles: animal to cubicle ratio 1:1

 

or Playpen without cubicles: over 350 kg LG
Minimum area 4 m²/animal
(lying and walking surface)

Playpen with cubicles: animal to cubicle ratio 1:1

 

or Playpen without cubicles

over 350 kg LG minimum area

5 m²/animal (lying and walking surface)

 

or 1,000 m² grazing area/animal

Playpen with cubicles: animal to cubicle ratio 1:1

 

or Playpen without cubicles: over 350 kg LG
Minimum area 6 m²/animal

(lying and walking surface)

Playpen with cubicles: animal to cubicle ratio 1:1

 

or Playpen without cubicles: over 350 kg LG
Minimum area 6 m²/animal

(lying and walking surface)

Indoor, preferably loose housing or combination housing

Playpen husbandry   or Combination posture¹ with access to pasture (at least 120 days at 2 h each) or with exercise yard or exercise pen with at least 4.5 m² per animal. The exercise area must consist of at least 16 m² of contiguous area.

Loose housing with access to a yard all year round (3 m² per animal)

or loose housing with access to fields during the vegetation period (at least 120 days for 6 hours a day)

or open-front loose housing, no tethered housing

Free-range housing with a free-range yard that can be used all year round (at least 3 m²/animal in the free-range yard)
and Grazing (at least 120 days of 6 hours each)

 

No tethering

Playpen husbandry
and Grazing (exercise) whenever conditions allow.

 

No tethering*

< 6 weeks: by the farmer with pain relief

< 6 weeks: by the farmer with pain relief

< 6 weeks: by the farmer with pain relief

Dehorning only in exceptional cases

also for <6-week-old calves only after anaesthesia by a veterinarian; with pain relief

Dehorning only in exceptional cases; Dehorning of < 6 week-old calves by vet only, with anaesthesia, pain relief is required

no specifications

In loose housing: scratching brushes or in the exercise area in combination housing

Scratching brushes in the loose housing area

Scratching brushes in the loose housing area

Exclusively QS-approved or QS-recognised feed

Exclusively QS-approved or QS-recognised feed

No GM feed

Only GMO-free feed may be used.

 

at least 60% of the feed from the farm or from the region.

 

at least 60% of dry matter fresh, dried or ensiled roughage in the daily ration

No GM feed

 

at least 70 % of feed from the farm or from the region

 

Feed must come from organic production

 

at least 60 % of dry matter fresh, dried or ensiled roughage in the daily ration

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database)

 

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring (enter into the QS database)

 

The following applies to both: mandatory for all companies by 2026 at the latest

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database)

 

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring (enter into the QS database)

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir

 

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring

 

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir

 

2. Expert antibiotics monitoring

 

Recording in a central database similar to the QS system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body according to the QS inspection system

Inspection of all companies by neutral certification bodies, according to the ITW inspection system

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all farms by a neutral certification body at least once a year

Inspection of all companies in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation or growers' association, at least once a year

Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme

Animal Welfare Initiative or comparable programme

Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme

Certified according to EU-Öko VO or in accordance with the requirements of organic farming organisations, which guarantee a higher quality standard than the EU Organic Regulation.