Welfare Certification

The Welfair Certification is an Independent Certificate managed by IRTA in collaboration with Neiker-Tecnalia, based on the European Welfare Quality project and the European AWIN® project, where systems have been developed to evaluate and monitor animal welfare on farms and in slaughterhouses.

This evaluation and monitoring allow both producers and slaughterhouse managers to understand the welfare status of their facilities and to pursue continuous improvement through the certification program. In this way, good animal welfare practices are ensured—respectful and sustainable measures that enhance overall results while providing consumers with a guarantee that standardized, Europe-wide protocols are applied to safeguard animal welfare throughout the entire production cycle.

This pioneering model in Europe takes into account different parameters grouped into four basic principles and twelve criteria:

 

From a sample of individuals on the farm or in the slaughterhouse, and based on predefined and standardized criteria, as well as verification of compliance with current legislation, the actual condition of the animals is assessed—not only considering the conditions in which they are housed or slaughtered.

Currently, IRTA and NEIKER continue to research and develop new models for evaluating animal welfare, also applicable to species not initially included in the Welfare Quality® project, as part of the global strategy to develop more efficient, responsible, and sustainable production systems.

Benefits of the Welfair Certification

Animal welfare is one of the essential pillars of livestock production to guarantee food safety and quality. The implementation of good practices in this field has a direct impact on the quality of products and also helps reduce production costs, enabling more efficient and sustainable models. At the same time, consumers increasingly value the origin and sustainability of products, as well as the respect and care of animals.

Animal welfare ensures greater respect and better care for farm animals, from birth to slaughter.
Animal welfare contributes to greater efficiency in livestock production, as well as to higher quality in meat products and by-products such as milk and eggs.
The Welfair animal welfare certification is independently supervised by scientists and technicians from IRTA and NEIKER, internationally recognized research and technology institutions in the field of animal welfare.
It is based on a thorough audit of animal welfare through the direct observation of animals and their environment.
It rigorously complies with current legislation.

What other advantages does it offer?

  • A label on the product that guarantees to the customer/consumer a high level of compliance in animal welfare.

  • More information and transparency for consumers.

  • A higher degree of animal welfare leading to better production and higher quality of the final product.

  • More ethical animal products.

  • Continuous improvement and guidance in Animal Welfare protocols.

Welfare Quality® Protocols for Animal Welfare Assessment

The Welfair Animal Welfare Certification Scheme is based on a comprehensive audit of animal welfare through their direct observation and that of their environment. These audits follow the guidelines established by the Welfare Quality® protocols (available here in English), as well as the AWIN® protocols.

The Welfare Quality protocols were initially developed only for three species: cattle, pigs, and broiler chickens/laying hens on farms and in slaughterhouses. However, in recent years, operators working with other species have requested similar tools. For this reason, IRTA has developed new “Welfare Quality Inspired” protocols for Welfair certification in rabbits, sheep, goats, and turkeys.

 

  • CATTLE
    There are three Welfare Quality® protocols for cattle: one for dairy cattle, one for beef cattle on farms, and one for cattle in slaughterhouses.

 

  • PIGS
    There are three Welfare Quality® protocols for pigs: one for sows and piglets, one for fattening pigs, and one for fattening pigs in slaughterhouses.

 

  • POULTRY
    There are three Welfare Quality® protocols for poultry: one for broilers on farms, one for broilers in slaughterhouses, and one for laying hens. In addition, the AWIN® protocol is available for fattening turkeys.

 

  • SHEEP
    There are two AWIN® protocols for sheep: one for lambs for fattening and one for dairy ewes. In addition, a Welfare Quality Inspired protocol is available for slaughterhouses.

 

  • RABBITS
    There are three Welfare Quality® Inspired protocols for rabbits: one for does and kits, one for fattening rabbits, and one for fattening rabbits in slaughterhouses.

Requirements for Certification

The General Regulation for IRTA Animal Welfare Certification “based on Welfare Quality” allows certification companies that meet defined standards to use the protocols for certification under the authority and supervision of the Welfare Quality Network, represented by IRTA in Spain.

The General Regulation sets out a series of requirements that ensure consistency of criteria across different certification bodies, correct application of the protocols, and supervision of audits by IRTA. Among other aspects, the following must be fulfilled:

  • Auditors must hold the certificate of competence in animal welfare assessment according to Welfare Quality® for each of the protocols they work with.

  • Audit reports must follow the standard format established by IRTA, serving as practical tools for operators to identify critical animal welfare points in their facilities. The Welfare Quality® system is designed to foster continuous improvement in animal welfare.

  • Auditors are regularly supervised by IRTA technicians to ensure visits are carried out and protocols are correctly applied.

Overall, the Certification Scheme under the General Regulation aims to provide greater security and transparency for all those wishing to use the Welfare Quality® protocols, by offering a common and independent framework for all certification bodies.

The designation “based on Welfare Quality®” in any informational document is strictly limited to the use of the protocol under the conditions established by the Welfare Quality Network (integrity and required training/supervision). In other words, no measures may be added or removed unless the full scientific validation process within the network has been completed. The Welfare Quality Network emphasizes that the value of the protocols lies in the work of the scientists who, over the last 15 years (2004–2019), have developed and validated measures for their accuracy, repeatability, and applicability.

Who Can Certify?

Through the following link, you will find the Certification entities that have joined the Welfair Animal Welfare Certification Scheme, as well as the modules for which they have qualified auditors. Contact the responsible persons in each body for more information on how to obtain certification.

View Certification entities

Are you a certification body and would like more information on how to join?
Contact us and we will provide you with the General Regulation.

The rabbit slaughter module is still in the pilot phase, and currently only IRTA has qualified auditors.
For more information, you can contact us.

Auditor training

Training and qualification of auditors in animal welfare inspection according to the Welfare Quality protocols is an essential requirement to ensure the quality of certification. IRTA periodically organizes training and qualification courses for auditors in collaboration with experts from the Welfare Quality Network.

Courses last 3–5 days, depending on the module, with a full schedule from 09:00 to 17:00 (adjustable to the needs of farms or slaughterhouses) and a cost of €500 + VAT per participant. Welfare Quality courses are held at IRTA facilities in Monells (Girona), while AWIN courses take place at NEIKER facilities in Arkaute (Vitoria). The number of places is very limited (10–15 participants, depending on the course) to ensure effective learning.

 

2021 COURSES

As a new feature, Welfare Quality and Welfare Quality Inspired courses will be published on the IRTA transfer portal, where registration will be managed.

 

OTHER COURSES

We are planning new editions for all protocols and species. If you are interested, please send us an email via the contact form, and we will notify you in advance of the registration opening.