French food watchdog seeks animal welfare labels for meat, dairy, eggs

France’s food safety agency has put forward a proposal that would see meat, dairy and egg produce labelled with colour-coded scores that rate how well the goods respect animal welfare legislation.

French food regulator Anses is pushing for animal welfare labels on food products – adding the rating should be based on data taken directly from the animals, and not on reporting from producers. © AFP - ARNAUD FINISTRE

In a report published Thursday, French regulator Anses suggested labelling animal products with a five-level rating from A to E – similar to the Nutri-score nutrition labels – to better inform consumers about how the animals were treated.

It recommended the rating be based on how animals are raised as well as their transport and conditions in slaughter houses.

There is no existing legislation to regulate labelling in terms of animal welfare, Anses wrote in its report.

Even regulated labels – such as organic or free-range eggs, or broiler chickens – are not standardised or verifiable and cause confusion for customers, Anses said.

Regulated labels – such as organic and free-range eggs, or national standards on products like broiler chickens – do exist. But Anses said that because they're not standardised and cannot be verified, they cause "confusion and doubt" for consumers.

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Direct data

Anses said the rating should be based on data taken directly from the animals themselves, and not on reporting from producers.

Labels should be based on eight risk factors, including the genetic characteristics of the animals, how they are housed and fed, and the measures taken to reduce stressful or painful procedures.

In order to get a high rating, food must be easily accessible and adapted for the age and type of animal, but must also meet their behavioral needs, like hay for pigs to push around or grain for poultry to peck.

For a product to receive a high rating, the animals must have been given easy access to food that is appropriate for their age and breed. Also, their environment must be adapted to their behavioral needs – for example pigs provided with hay to push around and chickens with grains to peck.

(with AFP)