The French Animal Welfare Label

The French Animal Welfare Label

THE ANIMAL WELFARE LABEL

The Étiquette Bien-Être Animal aims to educate consumers on how the animals whose products they might purchase were farmed, empowering them to make informed—and sometimes different—choices.

This initiative is part of a move toward greater transparency for all items on a supermarket shelf, regardless of how they were produced, and also aims to raise awareness about animal welfare issues. The initiative’s visibility and specific requirements aim to support the animal sector in the adoption of better practices and to contribute to improving conditions under which farm animals are kept.

The Étiquette Bien-Être Animal labelling system is based on a 5-level animal welfare scale (A, B, C, D or E), ranging from superior welfare standards (level A) to minimal requirements (level E) so as to empower consumers and to ensure progress throughout the food production chain. The scheme’s standards and guidance pave the way towards improving animal welfare practices.

THE ANIMAL WELFARE LABEL

The Étiquette Bien-Être Animal aims to educate consumers on how the animals whose products they might purchase were farmed, empowering them to make informed—and sometimes different—choices.

THE ASSOCIATION

The Étiquette Bien-Être Animal labelling system, created in 2017, is managed by the Association Étiquette Bien-Être Animal, a non-profit organisation that brings together representatives from the food industry and key animal welfare NGOs to collaborate on this issue in a collegial way.

The EBEA system already covers the French broiler sector. In 2021, 90 million broilers, including 60 million free range (Label Rouge or organic), were under this growing labelling system, with 3,000 poultry farmers involved in the initiative.

The scheme should soon be rolled out to cover the pig sector, and the first labelled pork products could be available on shelves by the end of the year. A harmonized labelling system, at both the French and European level, could ensure it plays a full and active role.

THE ASSOCIATION

The scheme should soon be rolled out to cover the pig sector, and the first labelled pork products could be available on shelves by the end of the year.

A harmonized labelling system, at both the French and European level, could ensure it plays a full and active role.

THE EVALUATION GRID

This pioneering initiative, unique in France, provides a thorough assessment of how an animal is treated and kept over the course of its life:

It is based on species-specific technical standards.
It combines obligations of means and results partially based on direct observation of the animals.
Every operator (parent stock farm, rearing farm, transporter, slaughterhouse) is audited at least once a year by qualified third-party auditors.
The result is displayed as a 5-level scale, ranging from minimum standards to higher levels of animal welfare.
It summarizes the relevant farming methode.

For broilers, the EBEA’s standards are based on the scoring of nearly 230 criteria. Inspections are carried out by independent third parties; auditors are themselves trained to use the grid. Every single party involved in the scheme undergoes an annual audit. Association Étiquette Bien-Être Animal also sets up additional surprise audits, underscoring the strength of yearly audits.

Do you want to consult our evaluation grid? Do you have any question? Please contact us here.

CONTACT

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MENTIONS LEGALES

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CONTACT

MENTIONS LEGALES