Tierwohlsiegel

The Tierwohlsiegel, meaning "Animal Welfare Seal" in English, is a certification mark used in Germany and other German-speaking countries to indicate that certain standards of animal welfare have been met in the production of food products. It is designed to provide consumers with information about the living conditions of farm animals and to guide their purchasing decisions towards products that prioritize animal welfare.

There are various organizations and initiatives that award their own Tierwohlsiegel, each with its own set of criteria. These criteria typically address aspects such as housing conditions, space allowances, access to outdoor areas, and restrictions on certain practices like routine tail docking or beak trimming. The specific requirements can vary significantly between different seals. For example, some seals might focus on the species-specific needs of animals, while others might emphasize a more holistic approach to animal husbandry.

The purpose of these seals is to create transparency in the food industry and to reward producers who go beyond legal minimum requirements for animal welfare. Consumers can look for the Tierwohlsiegel on products like meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy to identify those that have been produced under conditions considered more humane. However, it is important for consumers to be aware that not all seals are identical and to understand the specific standards behind the particular seal they are considering.