BOARD CERTIFICATION WELFAIR®
Welfair®: The way to demonstrate animal welfare
Certification Welfair®:
the way to show
animal welfare
The Certification Welfair® has a fundamental objective: to demonstrate that farm and slaughterhouse animals have been cared for under strict, scientifically proven welfare standards.
The Certification Welfair® is independent, multi-species, and animal-based. There are many types of animals whose meat, milk, eggs, or derived products are intended for human consumption, and the Certification covers multiple species, including cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry (hens, turkeys, chickens, ducks, and quail), rabbits, and more.
The Certification Welfair® is independent, multispecies and animal-based.
The certification entities adhering to Welfair® perform audits annually
A rigorous, scientific, animal-based certification process.
To obtain certification, independent certification entities that are members of Welfair® conduct rigorous audits annually based specifically on direct observation of the animal, not from a human perspective. These audits involve:
- Checking that all prerequisites are met Welfair®, which include requirements of each country's current law and additional biosecurity, handling, or process parameters.
- Direct observation of animals, their behavior and environment.
- In total, the evaluation process takes into account up to 60 criteria adapted to each species.
- For single-owner farms or facilities, audits are conducted annually. For a group of farms with the same management system, which includes annual internal audits on all farms, the system is validated annually through external audits conducted by certification bodies on a representative sample of farms. Some of these external audits are unannounced. In this way, by combining external audits with internal controls and unannounced audits, it is verified that good practices are being followed and that positive progress is being made.
Four fundamental principles to evaluate:
The rigorous evaluation Welfair® must confirm whether four fundamental principles are met:
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Proper and correct nutrition.
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Comfort in accommodation.
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Good health.
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Natural and emotional behavior.
A certification
increasingly global
The Certification Welfair® has an international vocation, because the values it pursues are global: improving animal welfare practices worldwide and ensuring a more conscious and responsible consumption of foods of animal origin. Currently, the Seal already leads animal welfare in the sector in Spain and Portugal. It is also present in Denmark, Andorra, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and Brazil. It continues to expand with the goal of reaching more countries in Europe and Latin America by 2025.
Current Countries:
- Brazil
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Spain
- Mexico
- Portugal
Welfair® Local Partners
The Welfair Local Partners (WLP) are our strategic collaborators, responsible for supporting the implementation of the certification Welfair® in each territory. Its main function is to ensure that animal welfare standards are applied correctly, adapting to local circumstances without losing scientific rigor.
collaborating partners in Latin America
Brazil
Argentina and Chile
Functions of the WLP
- Technical training for auditors, companies and professionals.
- Support for farms and production centers in the certification process.
- Adaptation of European protocols to the legislation and reality of each country.
- Support in the continuous review and improvement of certification criteria.
An approved certification based on the reference European protocols:
Welfair® was born from the collaboration between the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technologies (IRTA) and the Basque Institute of Agricultural Research and Development (NEIKER). All its foundations are supported by the benchmark European projects Welfare Quality (2004-2009) and AWIN (2011-2015). These organizations developed protocols based on decades of scientific research, with the input of more than 400 scientists, to evaluate and improve animal welfare throughout the agri-food chain.
The Institute of Agrifood Research and Technologies (IRTA) of the Generalitat of Catalonia aims to contribute to the modernization, improvement, and promotion of competitiveness; to the sustainable development of the agricultural, food, agroforestry, aquaculture, and fishing sectors, as well as those directly or indirectly related to the supply of healthy, quality food to end consumers; to food safety and food processing; and, in general, to improving the well-being and health of the population.
Its general objectives are to promote research and technological development in the agri-food sector, facilitate the transfer of scientific advances, and evaluate its own technological breakthroughs, seeking maximum coordination and collaboration with the public and private sectors. IRTA's Animal Welfare Program has been researching and developing protocols for 20 years, alongside international experts from the Welfare Quality Network.
NEIKER, the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, is a non-profit public company attached to the Department of Economic Development and Competitiveness of the Basque Government. NEIKER is committed to the following R&D&I objectives:
- Improve the productivity and competitiveness of agricultural production systems.
- Develop and apply new management technologies in production areas.
- Meet the quality and safety requirements of the agri-food processing industry, its products, and the consumer.
Welfare Quality is a European research project developed between 2004 and 2009 to integrate farm animal welfare into the food chain. The project aimed to address societal concerns and market demands for the development of reliable on-farm monitoring systems, product information systems, and species-specific practical strategies to improve and measure animal welfare. Welfare Quality project researchers defined four principles of animal welfare: good housing, good nutrition, good health, and appropriate behavior. IRTA was one of the participating institutions in the project.
The European Welfare Indicators (AWIN®) project succeeded Welfare Quality, running from 2011 to 2015, to complete its mission by developing scientific protocols and indicators using the same methodology for five species: sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and turkeys, to identify the ideal way to improve their welfare and ensure the sustainability of this sector for the future. The project was carried out by 11 institutions from 9 countries (Germany, Brazil, Spain, the United States, Italy, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic). Among them was the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (NEIKER).
FAQ'S
What is certification? Welfair®?
It is an independent, scientific, and multi-species certification that assesses animal welfare through direct observation of animals and periodic audits.
What is it scientifically based on? Welfair®?
Welfair® is based on validated protocols such as Welfare Quality® and AWIN®, objectively evaluating the health, behavior, feeding, housing and handling of animals through measurable indicators and independent audits.
What are the Welfare Quality® and AWIN® protocols?
These are scientifically validated European methodologies that allow for the assessment of animal welfare on farms and in slaughterhouses. They measure how animals live, observing their health, behavior, space, and care, with clear rules to ensure their well-being in each species.
How does it differ from other certifications?
It focuses on measuring the animal (Animal-Based), not just the facilities, applies species-specific protocols, and requires independent audits, including unannounced ones.
What does “multispecies” mean?
This means that there is no single standard for everyone: each species is assessed with a specific protocol adapted to its needs and behavior, within the same common framework of welfare. animal Welfair®.
How many years does it support? Welfair®?
The certification has been under development since 2019, supported by more than 20 years of prior research in projects such as Welfare Quality® and AWIN®.
What species does the certification cover?
Among others, bovine, porcine, ovine, poultry and rabbits, as well as derived products such as meat, milk and eggs.
What does an auditor review during an audit?
Scientific indicators of animal welfare, their behavior, handling, environment, relationship with the caregiver and compliance with current legislation, among many other aspects.
Who performs the audits?
The audits are carried out by independent professionals with specific training in animal welfare, who are authorized and supervised to ensure consistent and objective assessments. They follow protocols developed from research projects funded by the European Commission, guaranteeing their alignment with European scientific standards in animal welfare.
How often are audits conducted? Are there unannounced visits?
At least once a year. Unannounced audits may also be carried out without prior notice.
What is an internal audit?
This is an additional control measure implemented by certified companies to regularly verify that animal welfare standards are maintained between external audits. These internal audits do not replace independent audits and are part of the ongoing monitoring system.
What is a “KO”?
A very serious breach that directly affects animal welfare and prevents certification or causes its direct suspension until it is corrected.
How do I obtain certification?
Comply with current legislation and prerequisites, conduct an audit with an authorized entity, correct any non-conformities, and renew certification periodically.
What happens if it is not fulfilled?
A corrective action plan is required, and if it is not resolved within the established timeframe, the certificate may be suspended or cancelled.
What are the prerequisites?
The prerequisites Welfair® are the basic conditions that must be met before obtaining certification. They include compliance with current legislation in each country, as well as additional parameters related to biosafety, handling, and processes.
What is a certification body?
It is an independent organization authorized to conduct audits and verify that farms meet certification requirements Welfair®.
How is the independence of the system guaranteed?
Welfair® defines the standards and protocols, but the assessments are carried out by independent certification bodies, subject to controls and supervision.
What type of training does it offer? Welfair®?
Courses and training programs, both in-person and online, focused on the application of the protocols.
To whom?
To companies, professionals in the agri-food sector, technicians and veterinarians.
What is the purpose of training?
To facilitate compliance with the standard and promote continuous improvement of animal welfare.
What is a Welfair Local Partner (WLP)?
An authorized local entity that promotes the implementation of Welfair® in a country or region.
Which functions has?
Offer training, technical advice and support during the certification process.
What does it contribute to the system? Welfair®?
Adapt the local implementation while maintaining the scientific rigor of the standard.