The Initiative Tierwohl

– promotes greater animal welfare in livestock farming

– inspects livestock farms

– issues the ITW seal

– promotes innovation in livestock farming

See the criteria for joining the Initiative here

Highlights from the past six years and two programme phases

Initiative Tierwohl under fire – our respondes

million animals each year already benefit from the Animal Welfare Initiative.

farms and agricultural businesses already participate in the Initiative.

Partners introduce themselves

Karin Könninger

Turkey farm in Baden-Württemberg

“The Initiative Tierwohl is a positive symbol of the trade and shows that it values and appreciates animal welfare. This can be an incentive for farmers to get more involved with the issue of animal welfare.”

Philipp Beckhove

Chicken farm in North Rhine Westphalia

“For me, the Initiative Tierwohl is a convincing system in which food retailers and farms work closely together. That’s why I support it.”

Gesa Lampe

Pig farm in Lower Saxony

“The Initiative Tierwohl is a first step in the right direction. I see the fact that so many farms are taking part as a great success and a strong signal from the industry. Each day I see the positive impact that the implementation of the animal welfare criteria has on my pigs.”

How can you actively contribute to the Initiative?

As a consumer

As a customer of one of our retail or gastronomy partners, you should be able identify which meat comes from an Initiative Tierwohl farm. This is the purpose of our seal on poultry products and increasingly on pork products. By purchasing a product with our label, you’re showing your interest in improving animal welfare.

Information about the product seal

As a farmer

Improve the conditions for animals on your farm. If your farm participates in the Initiative Tierwohl, you are obliged to comply with criteria that go beyond the legal requirements. The financial expense incurred by this is compensated by the Initiative Tierwohl, meaning that your competitive advantage is not affected.

Information for poultry farmers

Information for pig farmers

Information for sow farmers and piglet rearers

How the funding works

Livestock owners that participate in the Initiative Tierwohl receive cost compensation from their direct customers for the additional expense incurred by the implementation of the animal welfare criteria. They pass this additional cost along the value chain to the retail and gastronomy sectors.