Pork production will be first in line for attention when a new animal welfare alliance gets under way in Germany next year.
According to a report from the US Department of Agriculture’s foreign agricultural service (FAS), the German food industry has formed an alliance to respond to criticism of the country’s animal husbandry standards. Â Farmers, the meat industry and retailers are all reported to be committed to the alliance in a move designed to create higher animal welfare standards across a broader front than previously existed.
“The project includes improvements that go beyond legal requirements,” said the FAS report. “Farmers can join voluntarily and will then be monitored. The project will start at the beginning of 2015, first in pork production but chicken is likely to be included.”
In return for meeting certain basic requirements, farmers who join the alliance will receive a €500 bonus, with the option of additional payments if they choose to meet extra criteria.
All major retailers will participate in the alliance, paying four Euro cents a kilogram on meat sales into the fund. This will potentially raise up to €65m to invest in “more animal friendly production”.Â