The Danish authorities will launch a new 3-star welfare label for pork. 1 star refers to ‘good’, 2 stars to ‘better’ and 3 stars to ‘top welfare’. Danish parliament approved this system earlier this year.
In about a year, Danish consumers can choose how much they are prepared to pay for the level of pig welfare on the basis of the 3-star welfare system. The system has been set up by the Danish ministry of Environment and Food, various animal welfare organisations, the Danish Agriculture & Food Council (L&F), meat processor Danish Crown, a large nationwide butcher organisation and 4 retailers, including Aldi and Lidl.
The veterinary and food authorities aim to ‘guarantee’ the contents behind the stars. This will enhance the system’s credibility.
The meat of pigs having 3 stars is already available on the Danish market; it just didn’t have the stars as yet. New is the meat of pigs having 1 or 2 stars.
It is expected that the meat will cost 15-20% more than meat from conventionally farmed pigs. Producers will get about a year to make necessary investments to meet certain stars.