“The seal Welfair® has been the seed for using well-being as a real productive tool”
Veterinarian and Lead Auditor of the certification scheme Welfair®, Diego Sánchez is one of the professionals who has been involved since the beginning of the project. With a consolidated track record in the beef sector, he has experienced firsthand the evolution of the approach to animal welfare, implementing protocols on farms and slaughterhouses, and supporting operators through the challenges and opportunities that certification presents. Today, he shares his technical vision, his field experience, and some of the most tangible improvements he has observed over the years.
A technical and operational evolution
Diego joined Welfair® in 2021, during a period marked by post-pandemic changes, and soon assumed a leading role in the implementation of audits. "The role of the Lead Auditor began to gain importance; we provided a perspective from the field and became involved in practical decision-making within the framework," he explains.
Since then, it has witnessed a key evolution: increased audit oversight, internal calibrations among auditors to standardize criteria, and, above all, a shift in approach. "We moved from a checklist based on legislation to a more technical prerequisite system, supported by science, experts, and references such as the Welfare Quality® Network," he notes.
Beef sector: tangible improvements in welfare and productivity
Diego's experience in cattle farms has allowed him to identify concrete improvements since the implementation of the protocol. Welfair®. “If I had to highlight three, I would say: better adaptation of the water troughs (meeting ratios and distribution), improved resting comfort thanks to the ratio of cows to stalls, and staff training that translates into more respectful and efficient handling,” he comments.
These improvements not only impact animal welfare, but also production. “For me, the seal Welfair® has been the seed for using wellness as a real productive tool,” he says with conviction.
Meat and milk: different realities, one commitment
The Lead Auditor also highlights the significant differences between the protocol's implementation on beef and dairy farms, both in terms of management and facilities. "On dairy farms, animal monitoring is much more individualized: health, production, and dietary data are recorded in detail, which requires constant monitoring," he explains.
Furthermore, animals go through multiple stages and areas throughout their lives—from pre-birth, through the individual stall, the suckling area, the rearing period, the lactation yard, and finally, dry-off, which is the period in which the cow stops being milked to rest and prepare for the next birth—which implies an assessment of welfare influenced by many factors.
In contrast, in fattening cattle, Diego explains that the animals usually remain in the same pen from the moment they enter the slaughterhouse until they leave, which reduces both the complexity of management and continuous observation.
Impact on slaughterhouses: less stress, more traceability
The improvement in welfare doesn't end on the farm. In the slaughterhouse environment, Diego has seen clear progress since implementing the protocol. Welfair®. One of the main improvements has been the improvement in stunning procedures, both in their execution and control. Added to this is the specific animal welfare training that many workers have received, which has had a direct impact on daily activities, especially in animal handling and guidance. "Currently, improvements have been achieved in animal handling, reducing the use of certain instruments and promoting more careful treatment," he notes.
Furthermore, he highlights a change in the attitude of slaughter units regarding traceability and responsibility for welfare: “More and more people are demanding the certificate Welfair® to their suppliers. They do this not just because of regulations, but because they are aware that the end consumer demands it." According to Diego, this has contributed to consolidating greater coherence throughout the value chain, reinforcing the commitment from origin to final product.
Key indicators and areas for improvement during audits
Regarding the aspects that most often require attention during audits, Diego highlights several indicators that reveal clear opportunities to improve animal welfare. “Statistically, water troughs are often insufficient in both number and cleanliness, and the proper ratio of centimeters per animal is not always met,” he explains. He also points out that cubicles are often poorly sized, in poor condition, or insufficient for the number of animals housed.
Another area requiring attention is individual stalls, which sometimes limit social contact between animals, an important factor for their well-being. Furthermore, lack of access to outdoor areas or pastures remains a potential shortcoming, especially on certain farms, directly impacting the animals' quality of life.
The role of technology in continuous improvement
The Lead Auditor asserts that technology plays and will continue to play a fundamental role in advancing animal welfare within the beef sector. "Smart devices have been used for years to monitor health parameters such as rumen activity, step count, and heart rate, among others," he notes. This data facilitates early, evidence-based decision-making, which is key to continuous improvement.
Furthermore, technology contributes to optimizing facility design, allowing for automatic control of temperature, humidity, and ventilation to reduce heat stress. It also helps minimize negative social interactions, limit traffic areas where animals accumulate, and identify optimal resting areas. According to Diego, all of this opens the door to large-scale, individualized cow management, a prospect that isn't so far off.
The future of animal welfare in the beef sector
Sánchez is clear in stating that it is not easy to predict with certainty what the future of animal welfare will look like, but he identifies some factors that will likely shape the agenda in the coming years. "Pressure from consumers and social groups will continue to grow, although it is often based on insufficient knowledge of the production systems that predominate in the sector," he comments. Furthermore, the legislative framework, both at the regional, national, and European levels, will play a decisive role in establishing and raising standards.
Finally, Diego Sánchez highlights the professionalization of the sector, which not only involves improving staff training but also the use and exploitation of technology as a key tool for continuous improvement.