- The course “Farm Animal Welfare: Regulatory Framework, Certification and Labelling Schemes” was held at CIHEAM Zaragoza from 25 to 29 November
- Coorganised by CIHEAM Zaragoza, FAO, MAPA, and supported by the European Commission and Red CIBA, the course attracted more than 40 participants from 16 countries across Europe, Africa, and South America
An international forum on regulation and certification
From 25 to 29 November, CIHEAM Zaragoza hosted the course “Farm Animal Welfare: Regulatory Framework, Certification and Labelling Schemes.” This comprehensive course was jointly organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) of Spain, with the collaboration of the European Commission through DG SANTE and the scientific network Red Científica en Bienestar Animal (Red CIBA).
The course attracted 43 participants from 16 countries across Europe, Africa, and South America, creating a diverse and dynamic learning environment. The attendees primarily comprised officers at national and regional levels, representatives from various companies, members of NGOs, and academics dedicated to advancing the standards of animal welfare.
From scientific foundations to designing labels
The opening session was led by Teresa Villalba, from MAPA, who provided a historical overview of animal welfare regulations in Europe. Villalba traced the origins of these regulations back to 1820, highlighting the evolution and increasing complexity of creating regulation over time. She emphasised the need for a clear distinction between the concepts of animal welfare, animal cruelty, animal rights, and animal protection. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for meaningful discussions and effective policy-making in this matter.
Dr Pol Llonch from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) presented the scientific foundations of animal welfare. Dr Llonch explained the progression from the Five Freedoms to the more comprehensive concept of Five Domains. He also discussed various indicators and drivers, equipping participants with the knowledge to evaluate and improve welfare standards effectively.
The course also covered current regulations. Teresa Villalba, Helena Gonzalez, and Pablo Bañados from MAPA, along with Susana Riera from the Generalitat de Catalonia, provided an extensive overview of the existing regulations on the farm, during transport, and in slaughterhouses. They also discussed the integration of these regulations with other legislative frameworks such as animal product safety and environmental protection.
Jarkko Niemi from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) offered insights into the differences between quality standards, certification, and labels. Dr Niemi explained the situation of animal welfare labels in Europe and elaborated on the certification processes, providing a clear understanding of how these systems operate. In addition, representatives from four different labels—Etiquette Bien-Être Animal, Welfair, BAIE+, and Bedre Dyrevelfærd—shared information regarding their unique characteristics and certification processes, offering real examples of successful labelling schemes.
Consumer and operator perceptions of animal welfare labels and their economic benefits were explored by Celine Ledoux from the European Commission. Celine highlighted the growing demand for animal welfare-friendly products and the potential economic advantages for producers who adopt these practices.
The course included an interesting workshop that involved a role-playing exercise. Participants were tasked with creating their own animal welfare labels, simulating positions from different stakeholders in the livestock industry. They discussed the challenges and considerations involved in developing effective and credible labelling schemes. This hands-on activity encouraged collaboration and creativity, allowing participants to apply their newfound knowledge in a practical setting.
The course concluded with a round table discussion featuring various stakeholders who deliberated on the present and future of animal welfare. The round table was moderated by Guiomar Liste (Red CIBA), with the participation of Gonzalo Corrales (farmers representative, UPA), Ines Grenho Ajuda (NGO representative, Eurogroup for Animals), Arantxa Villagra (research representative, IVIA-CITA), Teresa Villalba (government representative, MAPA). This session created an opportunity for participants to share their experiences, challenges and goals, building a sense of community and shared commitment to improve animal welfare.
Lessons learnt to advance global animal welfare
The contemporary conception of animal welfare is rooted in pathocentrism, which recognises animals as sentient beings capable of experiencing pain and suffering. This ethical framework asserts that animal suffering is unacceptable and must be actively prevented. The moral obligation to prevent animal suffering is the cornerstone of animal welfare standards and practices.
Over time, various definitions and principles have been proposed to define animal welfare. The most widely recognised and foundational concept is the Five Freedoms, which assert that animals should be free from hunger and thirst; discomfort; pain, injury, and disease; fear and distress; and to express normal behaviour. Building on the Five Freedoms, the concept currently used to define animal welfare is the Five Domains model, which offers a more nuanced approach. The Five Domains include: Nutrition: adequate and appropriate food and water; Environment: suitable living conditions; Health: absence of disease and injury; Behaviour: opportunities to express innate behaviours; and Mental State: promotion of positive experiences and prevention of negative experiences.
From a political and sociological perspective, animal welfare is considered as a "wicked problem" due to its complexity and the diverse, often conflicting viewpoints, beliefs, and economic interests involved. Despite these differences, there is a genuine concern for the welfare of farm animals for European stakeholders in the animal production industry and consumers, leading to some of the most demanding legislation in the world.
European welfare legislation sets minimum welfare standards on the farm, during transport, and at the slaughterhouse. European regulations also serve as guidelines for countries lacking their own legislation, highlighting Europe's influential role in global animal welfare standards. While these regulations aim to ensure high welfare standards in farmed animals, there is a perception that regulation may harm the competitiveness of European producers, particularly when competing with imported products from regions with less stringent regulations.
Labels have been created to assure consumers that the products they purchase meet welfare standards that exceed the mandatory regulations. Currently, Europe hosts over 100 animal welfare labelling schemes, each with diverse and heterogeneous standards. As different schemes have large differences in the standards required, there is also considerable heterogeneity in their potential to improve animal welfare. In general, more demanding tiers within multitier labelling schemes have a greater potential to enhance animal welfare progressively.
Currently, there is no harmonised EU-level animal welfare labelling scheme, nor is there regulation specifically governing these labels. This lack of standardisation contributes to consumer confusion and calls for a more cohesive approach. Key aspects of these labelling schemes are verifiability and transparency.
Consumers express strong interest in animal welfare attributes in animal products, but their knowledge of actual farming practices is often limited. This gap results in consumer preferences being based on perceived welfare problems rather than actual welfare issues. Although consumers show a declared interest, this does not always translate into purchasing behaviour. Consumer education is crucial for enabling informed purchasing decisions.
Products bearing animal welfare labels are typically more expensive than conventional products. However, the retail prices are more influenced by market demand, competition, and the actions of other supply chain actors (processors and distributors) rather than the production costs incurred by primary producers. While retailers and processors primarily benefit from the price difference, farmers mostly recoup their investments and operating costs. Despite these economic differences, primary producers have several incentives to join labelling schemes beyond financial gain. These include maintaining access to markets and gaining entry to new markets, improving productivity, enhancing reputations, and contributing to overall welfare improvements.