Mandatory animal husbandry labelling for pig meat products will commence from March 2026.
Germany delays mandatory labeling of fresh pork until March 2026
The implementation of mandatory country-of-origin labeling for fresh, unprocessed pork from Germany has been postponed from its original August date to March 2026. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture made the announcement on Wednesday, citing a need for more time for states and the food industry to prepare for the law.
Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer explained that the extension was necessary to provide additional time for states to implement and monitor the law and for the industry to adjust. While a voluntary labeling system remains in place before March 2026, a half-year extension has been granted to the two-year transition period for the mandatory labeling.
The new labeling law is part of the central goal set by Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir, aiming to improve livestock farming. The legislation, which initially applies only to pork, came into force in August 2023 and categorizes pig farming into five groups.
The Federal Minister of Agriculture emphasized that the postponement allows for a better implementation and execution of the law, although the exact reasons for the delay were not specified. Moreover, the extension may provide an opportunity to extend the labeling requirement to other animal species and out-of-home catering.
The Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) recently called for an expansion of labeling throughout various animal species and out-of-home catering services. "Consumers want to know how animals are kept. This applies to all animal species and regardless of where they buy meat - whether in the supermarket or in a restaurant," stated the vzbv. Extending the labeling requirement to a wider range of products could enhance transparency in food sources and boost consumer confidence in the food they purchase and consume both at home and away from home.
The Federal Minister of Agriculture's decision to postpone the mandatory country-of-origin labeling for pork until March 2026 might open a path for an expansion of labeling to other animal species and out-of-home catering. This extension could potentially contribute to a boost in health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and community aid by providing consumers with more information about the production of milk, a key aspect of science, and fostering transparency in food sources.
