Apply for an extension of the approval of the voluntary labeling of foodstuffs with the animal husbandry method

    If you are a food business operator based outside Germany and sell fresh pork in Germany for final consumption, you can label the products with the way in which the animals are kept. You must have this permit renewed after 2 years.

    Description

    Animal husbandry labeling ensures transparency and clarity with regard to the way animals are kept. If your company is based in another EU country or in a third country, you can apply for voluntary labeling from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).

    If you have already received approval, you can have this extended for a further 2 years after 2 years.

    You can submit the application in German or English.

    Online service

    Contact form of the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE)

    ID: B100019_115685171

    Description

    You can use the contact form to upload your application and all the necessary documents.

    Use this service online

    Payment methods

    • Transfer

    Trust level

    You need an account with password to use this online service (trust level: low).

    further information on the level of trust for online services

    Identification

    • no identification

    Language

    Deutsch

    Sprache: de

    Englisch

    Sprache: en

    Sprachbezeichnung nativ:

    English

    Contact person

    Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, Referat 524 - Tierwohl, Fleisch, Fleischerzeugnisse

    Address

    address

    Deichmanns Aue 29

    53179 Bonn

    Save contact

    Opening hours

    Monday 09:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 16:00 Tuesday 09:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 16:00 Wednesday 09:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 16:00 Thursday 09:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 16:00 Friday 09:00 - 14:00

    Contact

    Internet

    Version

    Technisch geändert on 09.07.2025

    Language version

    Deutsch

    Sprache: de

    Englisch

    Sprache: en

    Sprachbezeichnung nativ:

    English

    Required documents

    • Application for approval
    • Proof of compliance with the requirements of the husbandry form in the individual husbandry facilities, for example
      • official certificates
      • Participation in a state animal welfare label
      • Certificates from accredited inspection bodies
    • Proof of compliance with the requirements within the supply chain

    Prerequisites

    • As a food company, you have your registered office abroad.
    • You sell food of animal origin in Germany for final consumption.
    • The animals from which the foodstuffs are obtained were kept, slaughtered or cut up abroad during the relevant stage of husbandry or the foodstuff was produced or treated abroad.
    • You have already been granted a labeling permit by the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food.
    • The authorization already granted is still valid.
    • Appeal
    • Further information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the notification of your application.

    Procedure

    Like the authorization, the extension of the authorization to use the label can also be applied for online via the contact form or in writing by post to the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).

    • Open the application form.
    • You can complete the form digitally or print it out and complete it by hand.
    • If you complete the form digitally, you do not need to sign it by hand.

    Application by post:

    • You print out the form, if you have not already done so, and send it to the BLE with the required documents and evidence.

    Online application via the contact form:

    • You save the completed application as a PDF.
    • You name the files with documents according to their content.
    • Open the BLE contact form in the desired language.
    • Enter all the necessary information in the contact form. Select "Application" as the type of request.
    • In the "Subject" field, enter "Application for extension of the authorization to use the voluntary marking of foreign food of animal origin" as the reason for the message.
    • In the "Your message" field, state the number of attached files and, if possible, number them so that they can be assigned more easily.
    • Up to 10 attachments with a maximum of 10 MB are possible. If there are more files with more MB, please fill out the contact form again.
    • You upload the document with the required documents and evidence.

    The BLE will check the application and contact you if anything is unclear or if any information or evidence is missing.

    If the information and documents are complete, you will receive a 2-year approval notice by post.

    Deadlines

    Objection deadline: 1 month (The objection must be lodged within one month of notification of the administrative act.)

    Application deadline: 2 months (The extension of the permit for a further 2 years must be submitted at least 2 months before the expiry of the time limit.)

    Period of validity: 2 years (The permit is extended for 2 years at a time.)

    Processing time

    2 months (An application to extend the permit must be submitted at least 2 months before the permit expires so that you do not have to apply for a new permit and the BLE can inform you of the result before the time limit expires.)

    Costs

    There are no fees.

    Notes (specifics)

    There are no indications or special features.

    Further Information

    Area of validity

    Germany-wide

    Official approval

    Officially approved by Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) on 08.08.2024

    Version

    Technisch geändert on 01.12.2025

    Keywords

    Extension, Abroad

    Language version

    Deutsch

    Sprache: de

    Englisch

    Sprache: en

    Sprachbezeichnung nativ:

    English