About us
Welfair®: The way to demonstrate animal welfare
Welfair® is the certification that accredits animal welfare independently, multi-species, scientifically, and based on direct animal observation. It was born from the collaboration between IRTA and NEIKER, supported by 20 years of research and developed by more than 400 experts using the European Welfare Quality® and AWIN® protocols.
Who's who in Welfair®
It is the result of a multidisciplinary team composed of expert technicians and veterinarians committed to animal welfare.
En Welfair® We have technicians and specialists in all certified species who continually review the certification criteria. To ensure that the certification process is constantly updated and improving, we have a review process in charge of:
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SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE WELFAIR®:
specialized researchers who update and validate animal welfare assessment protocols.
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WELFARE QUALITY NETWORK:
an international network that promotes scientific collaboration.
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WELFAIR® ADVISORY BOARD:
a panel of companies from across the agri-food chain that promotes transparency and continuous improvement.
INDUBIUS NETWORK: In June 2024, IRTA, NEIKER and INDUBIUS reach a strategic alliance to promote certification Welfair®. The alliance strengthens animal welfare certification, improving operational efficiency, traceability, and transparency of certified products. Indubius is responsible for the business management and expansion of the Certification Welfair®.
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).
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.
Brazil
Argentina and Chile
Origin Welfair®: more than 20 years of animal welfare
2004 - 2009
The European research project Welfare Quality, funded by the European Commission, of which IRTA is already a part, is being developed. It focuses on integrating farm animal welfare into the food chain.
2009
The Welfare Quality Network is born, which ensures the establishment of training systems for auditors, as well as advising and validating the changes applied to the animal welfare protocols that make up the certification scheme of Welfair®.
2011 - 2015
The European Welfare Indicators (AWIN®) project, in which NEIKER participates, continues Welfare Quality to complete its mission by applying the same methodology to sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and turkeys.
2014
IRTA is launching a pilot project, together with the Spanish Association for Standardization and Certification (AENOR), to be applied on dairy farms.
ATO Milk has obtained the AENOR Conform seal for the first time, certifying animal welfare on its farms, based on the IRTA assessment, applying the Welfare Quality protocol.
2019
In 2019, IRTA and NEIKER developed a general regulation and presented the Certification Welfair®, the only independent certificate based on the European scientific protocols Welfare Quality and AWIN®.
2022
The international commitment to independent certification supported by scientific criteria and compliance with the prerequisites set forth in current legislation is confirmed.
The Certification Welfair® grows and consolidates in Portugal.
Quails are incorporated into the Certification Welfair®.
2023
International expansion is consolidating. It is confirmed in Latin America, with the arrival of Chile and Ecuador, and work is underway to expand its presence in Europe and Central America.
2024
IRTA, together with NEIKER, has established a strategic alliance with Indubius Network SL, which strengthens management and provides resources and technological improvements.
The first certifications are carried out in Denmark, Mexico and Costa Rica.
In October, the Welfair® Advisory Board.
2025
The internationalization of Welfair® through a collaborative network of Welfair Local Partners (WLP), strategic entities that facilitate the implementation of certification, offer technical training, and adapt scientific protocols to the local context, with a presence in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
2004 - 2009
The European research project Welfare Quality, funded by the European Commission, of which IRTA is already a part, is being developed. It focuses on integrating farm animal welfare into the food chain.
2009
The Welfare Quality Network is born, which ensures the establishment of training systems for auditors, as well as advising and validating the changes applied to the animal welfare protocols that make up the certification scheme of Welfair®.
2011 - 2015
The European Welfare Indicators (AWIN®) project, in which NEIKER participates, continues Welfare Quality to complete its mission by applying the same methodology to sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and turkeys.
2014
IRTA is launching a pilot project, together with the Spanish Association for Standardization and Certification (AENOR), to be applied on dairy farms.
ATO Milk has obtained the AENOR Conform seal for the first time, certifying animal welfare on its farms, based on the IRTA assessment, applying the Welfare Quality protocol.
2019
In 2019, IRTA and NEIKER developed a general regulation and presented the Certification Welfair®, the only independent certificate based on the European scientific protocols Welfare Quality and AWIN®.
2022
The international commitment to independent certification supported by scientific criteria and compliance with the prerequisites set forth in current legislation is confirmed.
The Certification Welfair® grows and consolidates in Portugal.
Quails are incorporated into the Certification Welfair®.
2023
International expansion is consolidating. It is confirmed in Latin America, with the arrival of Chile and Ecuador, and work is underway to expand its presence in Europe and Central America.
2024
IRTA, together with NEIKER, has established a strategic alliance with Indubius Network SL, which strengthens management and provides resources and technological improvements.
The first certifications are carried out in Denmark, Mexico and Costa Rica.
In October, the Welfair® Advisory Board.
2025
The internationalization of Welfair® through a collaborative network of Welfair Local Partners (WLP), strategic entities that facilitate the implementation of certification, offer technical training, and adapt scientific protocols to the local context, with a presence in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Community Welfair®: You can also be part of it
Our priority is animal welfare. And you can help us. Have you noticed any issues worth reviewing at any of our certified centers or farms?
Let us know through help@animalwelfair.com
In Animal Welfare, we all contribute
FAQ'S
who is behind Welfair®?
The certification has been developed by IRTA and NEIKER, based on the European projects Welfare Quality® and AWIN, scientific benchmarks in animal welfare.
¿WelfairIs ® endorsed by public bodies?
Welfair® is based on European projects Welfare Quality® y AWIN®, funded by the European Commission and Developed by universities and public research centers, their scientific basis comes from these European R&D programs, while certification is applied by independent entities that guarantee objective and rigorous evaluations.
What has been the evolution of Welfair®?
Since 2019, Welfair® has been progressively implemented in Europe and Latin America, incorporating new species and expanding to countries such as Spain, Portugal, Brazil and Chile, among others.