"The first people interested in the well-being of the animals are the farmers."

Ina Beltrán de Heredia, a doctor in veterinary medicine and researcher at the Department of Animal Production at the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (NEIKER), has dedicated much of her career to studying animal welfare in small ruminants. In this interview, we delve into her professional career and the impact of certification. Welfair® in the agri-food sector and the challenges and opportunities of moving toward more sustainable livestock farming that is committed to animal welfare.

The balance between reproduction and animal welfare

Ina Beltrán de Heredia began her research career after completing her veterinary studies, and her thesis focused on reproductive biotechnology in small ruminants. This focus marked the beginning of her specialization in animal production, a field that would expand with her participation in a European project in 2010, where she worked on identifying indicators of animal welfare and pain in different species.

"That's when I entered the world of animal welfare," explains Ina. "Specifically, within the framework of the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) project, which sought to develop reliable indicators to assess the welfare of several domestic animal species, including sheep and goats. Since then, I have combined my work in animal breeding and production with this very important field: welfare."

At European level, the term "small ruminants" primarily covers sheep and goats. "With regard to Welfair®, we began working on animal welfare for sheep," he comments. However, he emphasizes that, later on, they also focused on developing protocols for goats: "We have developed, in chronological order, the protocol for fattening lambs, sheep, and also a small annex to that protocol for suckling lambs, in addition to the protocol for goats, which is in an advanced state of development." Finally, he adds that they are fine-tuning details in collaboration with the agri-food sector to ensure that these protocols reflect the reality of production.

The impact of certification Welfair® 

For Ina, the development of the protocols has marked a turning point for farms operating these species. “Certification has allowed us to identify both the strengths and areas for improvement in the production system. Once the weaknesses have been identified, all that remains is to improve,” she reflects.

The impact is not limited to improved livestock practices. Ina emphasizes that the seal Welfair® contributes significantly to consumer confidence. From an animal welfare perspective, he states that it is a very complex status, as it encompasses different perspectives: that of the farmer, the veterinarian, and the consumer. In his experience, consumers generally interpret welfare as adaptation to the animals' natural life: "In the case of the sheep sector, which is mostly extensive or semi-extensive production, consumers tend to value these systems positively because they consider the animals to be in the external environment, living a natural life."

However, he acknowledges that in more intensive systems, such as lamb fattening or intensive sheep production, there may be greater consumer questioning. "However, having an assessment conducted by an external auditor, which results in a seal of approval for animal welfare, always generates confidence. This seal indicates that welfare standards have been exceeded, which is a positive point for both consumers and producers," he concludes.

Furthermore, he highlights that this seal not only has an impact on the local market, but also in international markets, where quality and well-being standards are increasingly strict, "having recognized certifications such as Welfair® opens doors to new customers and business partners.

Concrete benefits for farmers and consumers 

The benefits of certification aren't just found in animal welfare. According to Ina, these improvements also impact product quality and farm profitability. "In feedlots, adjusting stocking density or improving sanitary conditions leads to increased growth rates and competitiveness. This is a benefit for farmers and, of course, for the animals."

In the case of dairy sheep, the situation is similar. "When specific controls are applied, such as monitoring the health of the ewes, the quality of the milk is significantly improved. This not only increases the product's market value but also contributes to providing high-quality food, benefiting both the producer and the consumer," he explains.

Finally, the researcher points out that these improvements don't always require large investments. "Many of the changes are affordable and logical. For example, optimizing management practices can make a big difference without incurring high costs," she says.

The challenges of change in the sector  

The implementation of these protocols has not been without challenges. Ina acknowledges that, at first, some farmers show some resistance. "It's normal. When someone outside points out weaknesses, it can be uncomfortable. But once producers embrace the improvements, the results are evident. Most understand that these changes not only benefit the animals, but also the sustainability and viability of their farms," ​​the researcher assures.

The future of animal welfare: adaptability and commitment of farmers

Ina has a clear vision for the future of animal welfare: "I would love for all welfare assessments to yield excellent results in the not-too-distant future," although she acknowledges that achieving this goal is a gradual process. "Reality puts you in your place, and that's achieved little by little," she comments. However, she hopes this evolutionary process will be faster and more agile so that improvements in animal welfare can be implemented more quickly.

Finally, the researcher concludes by emphasizing that the protocols Welfair® have demonstrated their ability to adapt over time, raising the bar to promote continuous improvement in livestock practices. Furthermore, "animal welfare is fundamental not only because of its impact on the economic viability of livestock farmers, but also for ethical reasons. They are the first people interested in the well-being of the animals."