"Welfair "It measures what the animal tells us about its well-being, not what we humans think it should feel."

What exactly is the certification Welfair And what is its origin?

Welfair It is an independent, scientific, and multi-species certification that measures the actual welfare of animals on farms and in slaughterhouses. In the agri-food sector (i.e., for consumption), we understand animal welfare to mean that animals are well-fed, well-cared for, healthy, free from fear and stress, and living and interacting with each other in a suitable environment.

The peculiarity of Welfair It does not only evaluate the facilities or procedures, but focuses on the animal itself, directly observing its behavior, its physical and emotional state, and how it interacts with its environment.

It originated from a collaboration between IRTA and Neiekr, two leading centers for agri-food research in Spain, which developed this system based on the European projects Welfare Quality (2004–2009) and AWIN (2011–2015). These two projects brought together more than 400 scientists from across Europe to establish a common methodology for measuring animal welfare with objective and verifiable indicators, a tool that now forms the basis of the scheme. Welfair.

What differentiates this seal from other animal welfare systems or certifications?

The big difference is that Welfair It measures what the animal 'tells us' about its well-being, not just the facilities or external factors. It's an animal-based, multi-species, and completely independent certification that applies rigorous audits based on the scientific observation of behavior, health, nutrition, and environment.

In addition, it has a system of annual audits, some unannounced, carried out by independent certification bodies made up of Welfair, and with a Scientific Committee that constantly reviews and updates the protocols to adapt them to advances in research and production reality.

Which species are currently covered by the certification and how is the methodology adapted to each one?

Currently, the certification Welfair It includes cattle, sheep, pigs, birds (chickens, hens, turkeys, ducks and quail) and rabbits, and derived products such as milk, eggs, dairy products or sausages.

Each species has its own protocol, adapted to its physiology, behavior and environment, with up to 60 specific indicators, which respond to the four fundamental principles: good food, good housing, good health and natural behavior.

How is the certification process carried out?

First, farms or slaughterhouses that wish to be certified contact an independent certification body authorized by Welfair, which performs a complete, on-site audit.

During the evaluation, compliance with the legal requirements of each country is verified, as well as the additional parameters of biosecurity, handling and animal welfare defined by Welfair.

Audits are conducted at least once a year and may be supplemented by unannounced audits. If non-conformities are detected, companies must correct them within a specified timeframe to maintain certification. Only after meeting all criteria does the farm or slaughterhouse receive certification. Welfair, renewable annually.

We can see the Seal Welfair in meat products or derivatives (milk, dairy products, eggs, sausages, etc.) provided that they have been certified and the traceability of all links in the production chain is verified

Spain is one of the leading meat producers in Europe. What is the level of implementation of the certification and its international growth?

Currently, more than 32.000 farms and 400 slaughterhouses are certified under this scheme, which is already applied in nine countries —including Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Brazil—, and continues to expand into new regions of Europe and Latin America.

This growth is a response to greater social awareness and consumer interest in knowing what's behind each product.

From the perspective of the meat industry, what specific benefits does having the seal bring? Welfair?

Having the seal Welfair It allows companies to demonstrate that their commitment to animal welfare is real and measurable. Furthermore, it lets consumers know that they are involved in the care of their animals.

Beyond recognition, it brings tangible benefits: properly cared-for animals get sick less often, require less drug treatment and develop better, which translates into greater productive efficiency and food quality.

It also builds trust and reputation: the seal has become a symbol of transparency and responsibility, both for the industry and the consumer. As producers often say, animal welfare is not only an ethical obligation, but also a productive investment for the future.

How does animal welfare influence meat quality and consumer perception?

There is a relationship between animal welfare and the quality of the final product. In general, animals that live in comfortable, stress-free environments tend to have better muscle physiology, which can result in more tender meat and potentially a longer shelf life.

From the consumer's perspective, the seal Welfair It acts as a guarantor of trust, because it ensures that the product undergoes a scientific audit and has complete traceability. And that trust translates into loyalty: those who know what's behind the seal seek it out.

Do you think the sector has perceived a real improvement after the implementation of the system?

Undoubtedly. The system has fostered a culture of continuous improvement, because it requires companies to review their practices every year and incorporate new learnings.

Today, many farms use audit reports as a self-diagnostic tool: they know what aspects to improve and how to do so. That is perhaps the greatest contribution of Welfair: having turned animal welfare into a measurable and comparable process.

The results are visible: more technical training, better housing and management conditions, and a sectoral awareness that is moving from obligation to conviction.

And what about the consumer? Are they actively looking for certified products?

Increasingly. Although there is still room for growth, consumers are beginning to recognize the seal. Welfair as a synonym for rigor and quality. Given the same price, they usually opt for the certified product, because they understand that behind it lies a real commitment to ethics and sustainability.

However, there is still work to be done in communication. The challenge for the sector is to better explain what animal welfare means and to dismantle clichés: it's not about animals in idyllic pastures, but about ensuring their health, comfort, and absence of stress, as measured scientifically. Transparency and education are as important as the certification itself.

In a context where sustainability and ethics are gaining importance, what role does animal welfare play?

Animal welfare is one of the pillars of agri-food sustainability, as are efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Healthy, well-treated animals mean less waste, less antibiotic use, and better feed conversion, which reduces the ecological footprint and improves the resilience of the system.

More and more meat companies are integrating animal welfare into their overall sustainability strategy, understanding that ethics, quality and efficiency are not opposing goals, but complementary ones.

What message would you like to convey to the sector and the end consumer?

Animal welfare is much more than a standard or a certification: it's a way of producing responsibly. It involves caring for animals, but also for people.

When applied with scientific rigor and measured transparently, it builds trust, improves quality, and strengthens the entire food chain.

From Welfair We want to convey that this approach is not an add-on, but an essential part of modern, sustainable, and ethical production in a country like ours, where things are already done well. Investing in animal welfare means investing in knowledge, continuous improvement, and a more honest relationship between producers and consumers.