Since November 2011, the GLOBALG.A.P. Stakeholder Committee on Animal Welfare has worked on the establishment of criteria for animal welfare which go beyond legal requirements, and which define the contents of complementary and voluntary add-on certifications for livestock producers. Members worked on two sets of criteria – one for broilers and one for finishing pigs. The developed criteria are science-based, feasible, economical viable and auditable.

The Stakeholder Committee consists of representatives from producers, processors, retailers, certification bodies, academia and NGOs.

Norbert Rank, Quality Lead Poultry, McDonald´s Europe, and Chairman of the GLOBALG.A.P. Stakeholder Committee on Animal Welfare (SHC AW) said: “Sustainable agricultural practices are essential to successful and responsible business development. Animal welfare is a critical component of this and is very much in the minds of our customers and stakeholders. Their expectations go often beyond legal requirements. The GLOBALG.A.P. voluntary add-on on animal welfare is highly welcomed as a tool to help to monitor animal welfare practices that go beyond legislation at farm level.”

Please join the SUMMIT2012 Livestock/Animal Welfare Roundtable Session on Tuesday, 6 November, at which SHC AW members will present these new add-on modules. Other related topics will be discussed including the responsible use of antibiotics, as well as the current and future challenges of zoonisis.

The Breakout Session - Livestock on Thursday, 8 November will highlight these topics with speakers from the University of Calgary, the OIE, TAFS Forum and ASDA.

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