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Criteria and minimum requirements for animal welfare programmes

With the criteria for the different rearing methods, we have created a fixed framework and clear classification system for producers and consumers.

Adherence to the criteria is strictly monitored. This way we can guarantee the highest degree of safety possible for both retailers and consumers.

Below you can find the minimum requirements for each rearing method tier for each animal.

Steer/Oxen, Heifers, Calves for fattening
Pigs
Turkeys
Chickens
Peking ducks
Rabbits
Dairy cows

Program
Space requirements	Min. space: up to 150 kg –> 1.5 m² 150–220 kg –> 1.7 m² over 220 kg –> 1.8 m² over 400 kg –> 2.2 m²	up to 150 kg –> 1.5 m² 150–220 kg –> 1.8 m² 220–400 kg –> 2.5 m² over 400 kg – 3 m² per animal	up to 150 kg –> 1.5 m² 150–220 kg –> 2 m² 220–400 kg –> 3m² over 400 kg – 4 m² per animal	Min. space: up to 150 kg –> 1.5 m² up to 200 kg –> 2.5 m² up to 400 kg –> 4 m² over 400 kg –> 5 m² but always at least 1 m²/100 kg
Housing	Indoor, preferably loose housing; tethered housing	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	Loose housing with access to a yard all year round (at least 3 m²/animal in the yard) or loose housing to access to fields (at least 120 days for 6 hours a day) or open-front loose housing, no tethered housing	Loose housing with permanent access to runs or fields; Exercise yard: at least 3 m²/animal; No tethered housing
Dehorning of calves, if practised on the farm	< 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
Feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	No GM feed for the entire fattening phase, however at least 6 weeks before slaughter	No GM feed for the entire fattening phase, however at least 6 weeks before slaughter At least 60% of the feed must come from the farm that the animals are reared on or from the surrounding region At least 60% of the dry matter should be made up of fresh, dried or ensiled roughage in the daily ration
Animal health monitoring	1. Recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir (enter into the QS database) 2. Expert antibiotic monitoring (enter into the QS database), both: obligatory on all farms in 2023	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 frequency²	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
Mandatory programme participation	QS or other comparable programme	Animal Welfare Initiative or comparable programme	Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme
Supplementary information	* Programmes setting criteria for livestock farms in accordance with EC Organic Regulations or organic farming associations guaranteeing a higher quality standard than EC Organic Regulations are designated as premium level. ¹ Interim solution: in the medium term, the aim is to allow tethering only when used in combination with seasonal grazing. ² Applies to all reclassified programmes. Programme classification lasts 3 years. Before, or at the latest, at the end of these 3 years, all programmes must meet the minimum audit requirements. Animals must be kept in these conditions no less than 6 months prior to slaughter.

Program
Space requirements	min. 0.75 m² per animal	At least 10% more space than legally required (0.825 m²)	At least 40% more space than legally required in Germany (1.05 m²/animal)	At least 100% more space than legally required (1.5 m²/animal)
Housing	Indoor	Indoor	Indoor with contact to the outdoor climate; at least open-front pens	Indoor with constant access to outdoor areas or free-range housing
Enrichment	Organic manipulable material with a high crude fibre content; at least moving chains combined with changeable material, e.g. soft wood	Organic manipulable material with a high crude fibre content, additional roughage	Organic manipulable material with a high crude fibre content, additional straw (in the form of bedding or roughage) or similar material	Organic manipulable material, straw or similar substrate
Feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	No GM feed for the entire fattening phase	No GM feed for the entire fattening period, at least 20% of the feed must come from the farm where the animals are reared or from the surrounding region
Animal health monitoring	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 frequency¹	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
Mandatory programme participation	QS or other comparable programme	Animal Welfare Initiative or comparable programme	Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme
Supplementary information	* Programmes setting criteria for livestock farms in accordance with EC Organic Regulations or organic farming associations guaranteeing a higher quality standard than EC Organic Regulations are designated as premium level. ¹ Applies to all reclassified programmes. Programme classification lasts 3 years. Before, or at the latest, at the end of these 3 years, all programmes must meet the minimum audit requirements.

Program
Space requirements	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)
Housing	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
Enrichment	Dry bedding suitable for pecking, scratching and dust bathing	Organic manipulable material made from changeable and consumable material such as straw or pecking stones	Organic manipulable material made from changeable and consumable material such as straw or pecking stones At least 2 objects for every started 400 m²	Bedding in the form of straw, wood chips, sand or turf on at least 1/3 of the barn area
Breeding line	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 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
Feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	No GM feed for the entire fattening phase, however no later than 10 weeks before slaughter	No GM feed for the entire fattening period, at least 20% of the feed must come from the farm where the animals are reared or from the surrounding region
Animal health monitoring	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 frequency¹	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
Mandatory programme participation	QS or other comparable programme	Animal Welfare Initiative or comparable programme	Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme
Supplementary information	* Programmes setting criteria for livestock farms in accordance with EC Organic Regulations or organic farming associations guaranteeing a higher quality standard than EC Organic Regulations are designated as premium level. ¹ Applies to all reclassified programmes. Programme classification lasts 3 years. Before, or at the latest, at the end of these 3 years, all programmes must meet the minimum audit requirements.

Program
Space requirements	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
Housing	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
Enrichment	Dry bedding suitable for pecking, scratching and dust bathing	Organic manipulable material made from changeable and consumable material such as straw or pecking stones At least 1 object for every started 150 m²	Organic manipulable material made from changeable and consumable material such as straw or pecking stones At least 2 objects for every started 150 m² or at least 3 straw or hay balls for every 2000 animals and 1 pecking object for every 1000 animals	Bedding in the form of straw, wood chips, sand or turf on at least 1/3 of the barn area
Breeding line	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
Feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	No GM feed for the entire fattening phase	No GM feed for the entire fattening period, at least 20% of the feed must come from the farm where the animals are reared or from the surrounding region
Animal health monitoring	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 frequency¹	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
Mandatory programme participation	QS or other comparable programme	Animal Welfare Initiative or comparable programme	Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme
Supplementary information	* Programmes setting criteria for livestock farms in accordance with EC Organic Regulations or organic farming associations guaranteeing a higher quality standard than EC Organic Regulations are designated as premium level. ¹ Applies to all reclassified programmes. Programme classification lasts 3 years. Before, or at the latest, at the end of these 3 years, all programmes must meet the minimum audit requirements.

Program
Space requirements	max. 20 kg/m²	max. 20 kg/m²	max. 20 kg/m² or 25 kg/m² barn area, provided that animals have constant access to open spaces	max. 20 kg/m²
Housing	Indoor Systematic surgical interventions on the animals, such as the shortening of bills or claws, are not permitted	Indoor: with daylight (window or light entry band that is at least 3% the size of the barn 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
Enrichment	Dry bedding that is manipulable and suitable for dabbling	Fresh bedding every day Additional organic manipulable material; Offered in racks or nets	Fresh bedding every day Additional organic manipulable material; Offered in racks or nets	Fresh bedding every day Additional organic manipulable material; Offered in racks or nets
Water	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)
Breeding line	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
Feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	No GM feed for the entire fattening phase at least 70% grains	No GM feed for the entire fattening phase at least 25% of the feed must come from the farm where the animals are reared or from the surrounding region 75% grains
Animal health monitoring	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 frequency¹	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
Mandatory programme participation	QS or other comparable programme	Animal Welfare Initiative or comparable programme	Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme
Supplementary information	– The criteria apply in each case to fattening (from the 16th day of life). – Perforated floors or grates are only permitted underneath the drinkers. * Programmes setting criteria for livestock farms in accordance with EC Organic Regulations or organic farming associations guaranteeing a higher quality standard than EC Organic Regulations are designated as premium level. ¹ Applies to all reclassified programmes. Programme classification lasts 3 years. Before, or at the latest, at the end of these 3 years, all programmes must meet the minimum audit requirements.

Program
Space requirements	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 + at least 300 cm² elevated level per 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.
Housing	Indoor/cage system 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. At least 5% natural daylight (5% of barn floor area) for new buildings (= buildings approved or put to use after 11/08/2014).	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. Bedded 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 Field area: max. 10 kg/m² or Outdoor runs/field area all year round: max. 3.3 kg/m² Field area: max. 10 kg/m² and 2 m² green runs/animal With field/free-range: Covered feeding stalls and nesting boxes 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. Suitable places for hiding (tubes/holes) 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
Enrichment	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
Breeding line	Robust and healthy breeding lines	Robust and healthy breeding lines	Robust and healthy breeding lines	Robust and healthy breeding lines
Feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	QS-approved or QS-recognised feed No GM feed for the entire fattening phase	QS-approved or QS-recognised feed (if purchased) or organic feed No GM feed for the entire fattening phase At least 60% of the feed must come from the farm where the animals are reared or from the surrounding region
Animal health monitoring	In each programme, a documented animal health monitoring process that includes the recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir, mortality rates and the use of antibiotics on the farm must be implemented.	In each programme, a documented animal health monitoring process that includes the recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir, mortality rates and the use of antibiotics on the farm must be implemented.	In each programme, a documented animal health monitoring process that includes the recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir, mortality rates and the use of antibiotics on the farm must be implemented.	In each programme, a documented animal health monitoring process that includes the recording of diagnostic data in the abattoir, mortality rates and the use of antibiotics on the farm must be implemented.
Inspection frequency¹	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
Mandatory programme participation	Participation in a programme registered with the rearing method labelling scheme
Supplementary information	– The animals must be kept under these minimum conditions the entire time from weaning to transport for slaughter (applies to all stages). * Programmes setting criteria for livestock farms in accordance with EC Organic Regulations or organic farming associations guaranteeing a higher quality standard than EC Organic Regulations are designated as premium level. ¹ Applies to all reclassified programmes. Programme classification lasts 3 years. Before, or at the latest, at the end of these 3 years, all programmes must meet the minimum audit requirements.

Program
Space requirements	Loose housing with stalls, animal-to-stall ratio: 1:1	Loose housing with stalls: animal-to-stall ratio 1:1; loose housing (lying and standing areas) without stalls: over 350 kg live weight min. 4 m² per animal	Loose housing with stalls: animal-to-stall ratio 1:1, loose housing without stalls: over 350 kg, minimum space 5 m² per animal or 1000 m² field space/animal	Loose housing with stalls: animal-to-stall ratio 1:1; Loose housing without stalls: over 350 kg min. space 6 m²/animal
Housing	Indoor, preferably loose housing or combination housing	Loose housing or combination housing 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	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	Loose housing with access to a yard all year round (at least 3 m²/animal in the yard) and access to fields during the vegetation period (at least 120 days for 6 hours a day); No tethered housing
Dehorning of calves, if practised on the farm	< 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; Dehorning of < 6 week-old calves by vet only, with anaesthesia, pain relief is required
Comfort	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
Feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	QS-approved / recognised feed	No GM feed	At least 60% of the feed must come from the farm that the animals are reared on or from the surrounding region; At least 60% of the dry matter should be made up of fresh, dried or ensiled roughage in the daily ration; No GM feed for the entire fattening phase
Animal health monitoring	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 frequency²	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
Mandatory programme participation	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
Supplementary information	* Programmes setting criteria for livestock farms in accordance with EC Organic Regulations or organic farming associations guaranteeing a higher quality standard than EC Organic Regulations are designated as premium level. ¹ Interim solution: in the medium term, the aim is to allow tethering only when used in combination with seasonal grazing. ² Applies to all reclassified programmes. Programme classification lasts 3 years. Before, or at the latest, at the end of these 3 years, all programmes must meet the minimum audit requirements. All animals falling under the scope of the respective programme must be kept under the conditions from the initial audit. The milk of these animals may only bemarketed after the successful initial audit in the respective programme.

Download Haltungsform criteria HERE .

Updated: March 17, 2023

informative.

transparent.

conscious.

Criteria and minimum requirements for animal welfare programmes

The 5 levels

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