Animal Welfare Program - Natureplus Conditions

Heifers/young cows (up to 30 months)

Housing

loose housing with constant access to fresh air

loose housing with grazing during the growing season (at least 120 days and 6 hours a day)

Open-front loose housing Tethering is not allowed

Space

Up to 150 kg: 1.5 m² per animal

Over 150 kg to 220 kg:
2 m² per animal

Over 220 kg to 400 kg:
3 m² per animal

Over 400 kg:
4 m² per animal

Feeding

Feed must have been produced without genetic engineering (VLOG)

Mandatory program participation

QS, VLOG

Dehorning of calves

Under 6 weeks: by farmer, with pain relief
Over 6 weeks: by veterinarian, with anesthesia

Animal health monitoring

Recording of findings at the slaughterhouse from 2022 onwards

Before 2022 a documented monitoring on the farm incl. antibiotic monitoring

Dairy cows

Husbandry

loose housing with year-round usable yard (3 m² per animal)

loose housing with grazing during the growing season (at least 120 days and 6 hours a day)

Open-front loose housing

No tethering

Space

loose housing with cubicles and loose housing without cubicles over 350 kg:
minimum area 5 m² per animal

Alternatively 1000 m²
grazing area per animal

Feeding

Feed must have been produced without genetic engineering (VLOG)

Comfort equipment

Scrub-scratch brush

Dehorning of calves

Under 6 weeks: by farmer, with pain relief and sedation
Over 6 weeks: by veterinarian, with anesthesia

Animal health monitoring

Recording of findings at the slaughterhouse from 2022 onwards

Before 2022 a documented monitoring on the farm incl. antibiotic monitoring

Animals must be kept under these conditions for at least 6 months before slaughter.