Applying for an extension of the identification number of a type of husbandry

Do you have a livestock business abroad and have already received an identification number? Then you can have it extended after 2 years if you need it again.

If you run a livestock farm based in another EU country or in a third country, you can obtain an identification number from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) that shows the type of farming.

With this identification number, another food company that sells food produced from your animals in Germany can apply for voluntary animal husbandry labeling, which provides end consumers with information about the way the animals are kept. Alternatively, you can use the identification number to sell your food by way of direct marketing with animal husbandry labeling.

The identification number is limited to a period of 2 years and can be extended by the BLE for 2 years at a time. To do so, you must prove that your livestock farm continues to meet the requirements of the notified farming method. You must submit the application at least 2 months before the validity of the identification number expires.

When notifying the extension, please state, for example

• Type of animal husbandry
• Housing facilities with
  • Site plans if several housing facilities are available
  • Details of the usable floor area
  • Information on the number of animals kept
  • Details of the authority that monitors animal welfare requirements

• Notification with
  • Name and address of the livestock holding
  • Name and address of the owner of the livestock farm
  • if available, registration number
  • Details of the holding facility. If there are several livestock facilities, details of all facilities and enclose a site plan
  • Details of the authority responsible for monitoring compliance with animal welfare regulations
  • Information on the farming method of the animals from which the food is obtained
  • Size of the unrestricted floor area of the housing facility
  • Number of animals kept in the facility
  • Declaration that the facility complies with the requirements for the notified farming method
• Suitable evidence, for example
  • official certificates
  • Participation in a state animal welfare label
  • certificates from accredited inspection bodies
  • corresponding certificate for the "organic" form of husbandry

• You have a livestock farm in another EU country or in a third country
• You have already received an identification number for 2 years.
• You apply for an extension at least 2 months before the expiry date.

• Objection within one year
• No information is provided in the form of instructions on legal remedies. This means that the objection period is one year.

The renewal of the identification number can 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:

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

Application as an upload:

• You save the completed notification as a PDF.
• You name the files with documents according to their content.
• Open the BLE contact form.
• Enter all the necessary information in the contact form. Select "Process-related" as the type of request.
• In the "Subject" field, enter "Renewal of identification number" as the reason for the message and state your previous identification number.
• 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 notification of the decision to renew the identification number. This will be sent to you by post.

There are no fees.

There are no indications or special features.