Animal welfare in aquatic production has been gaining increasing attention in discussions about the future of aquaculture. In this context, understanding how certification programs incorporate welfare criteria into their standards is essential for producers, companies, retailers, researchers, and other stakeholders across the production chain.

This is precisely the purpose of the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark, developed by the Aquatic Life Institute (ALI).

In its fifth edition, published in September 2026, the Benchmark evaluated 12 certification programs and 2 rating agencies, representing the largest scope reached by the study to date.

For the second consecutive year, Certified Humane ranked first, achieving a score of 9.5/10.

What is the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark?

The Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark is a global, evidence-based tool that evaluates how aquaculture certification programs and product rating systems incorporate animal welfare requirements into their standards.

In other words, the study seeks to answer an important question:

To what extent do aquaculture certification programs establish clear criteria to protect the welfare of farmed aquatic animals?

The Benchmark compares the requirements established in different programs’ standards and assigns scores based on the presence and strength of criteria related to animal welfare.

According to ALI, it is the only global evidence-based tool specifically dedicated to assessing the strength and clarity of animal welfare language within aquaculture certification and rating frameworks.

The results can be used as a reference by certification programs, seafood companies, retailers, policymakers, researchers, investors, and animal protection organizations.

What does the Benchmark evaluate?

The assessment considers different aspects related to the living conditions and management of aquatic animals.

Among the main criteria evaluated are:

Water quality

Water quality is fundamental to the welfare of aquatic animals. Therefore, the Benchmark evaluates whether standards establish requirements related to monitoring and maintaining adequate water quality conditions.

Stocking density

The study also analyzes requirements related to the number of animals kept within a given space.

Stocking density can directly influence animals’ living conditions and is associated with factors such as behavior, water quality, and opportunities for interaction with the environment.

Environmental enrichment

Another aspect evaluated is whether standards include requirements that encourage environments more suited to animals’ behavioral needs.

This is one of the areas where the sector still has opportunities for improvement. The 2026 assessment indicates that aspects related to behavior and the ability to express natural behaviors remain less developed compared to operational welfare criteria.

Feed

The Benchmark also evaluates how standards address feed composition and feeding management practices.

Transport and handling

Transport and handling are important stages for animal welfare and are also included in the assessment.

In the 2026 edition, the transport criterion was expanded to also include routine handling practices.

Stunning and slaughter

Requirements related to stunning and slaughter are also considered in the evaluation, assessing whether standards establish procedures aimed at reducing animal suffering.

In addition to these criteria, what else is considered?

The Benchmark also assigns scores to certain prohibitions considered relevant for animal welfare.

These include:

• farming octopuses and other cephalopods;
• eyestalk ablation in shrimp;
• the use of insects as feed for aquatic animals;
• the use of genetically modified organisms to accelerate growth;
• inappropriate use of antimicrobials.

In the 2026 edition, inappropriate antimicrobial use became one of the core prohibitions assessed.

The report also highlights that six evaluated programs now prohibit the farming of octopuses or other cephalopods: Certified Humane, RSPCA, ASC, Soil Association Organic, Friend of the Sea, and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP).

What does the Benchmark NOT evaluate?

This point is important.

The Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark is an assessment exclusively focused on animal welfare.

Therefore, the score does not represent an overall evaluation of certification programs.

The study does not assess:

• environmental sustainability;
• food safety;
• social responsibility;
• governance performance;
• implementation of standards on farms;
• compliance of certified operations with the standards.

In other words, a high Benchmark score means that a program has clearer and stronger requirements related to animal welfare, but it does not necessarily indicate the best performance across all other dimensions of aquaculture production.

Certified Humane ranks first again

In the 2026 edition, Certified Humane achieved 9.5 points, maintaining the leading position for the second consecutive year.

The result also represents an improvement compared to the previous edition. In 2025, Certified Humane received 8.75 points and also ranked first.

The three highest scores in 2026 were:

1st Certified Humane: 9.5
2nd RSPCA: 8.45
3rd ASC: 7.95

The improvement in Certified Humane’s score followed the incorporation of new animal welfare provisions into its standards, including updates made based on recommendations presented by ALI in the 2025 Benchmark.

Why is this assessment important for aquaculture?

Aquaculture plays an increasingly important role in global food production, with billions of aquatic animals raised in farming systems worldwide.

At the same time, scientific knowledge about the welfare of these animals continues to advance.

In this context, establishing clear welfare criteria within certification standards can help translate scientific knowledge into practical requirements for production systems.

The ALI Benchmark provides an overview of which aspects are already more established within certification standards and which areas still require further development.

According to the 2026 assessment, requirements related to feed, water quality, stocking density, transport and handling, and stunning and slaughter are increasingly present in the evaluated standards. On the other hand, aspects related to behavioral welfare, environmental complexity, and opportunities for expressing natural behaviors remain areas requiring further development.

Recognition for advancing animal welfare

Certified Humane’s first-place ranking in the 2026 Benchmark represents recognition of the presence of animal welfare requirements within its aquaculture certification standards.

The result highlights the importance of establishing objective, evidence-based, and continuously improved criteria to guide the responsible farming of aquatic animals.

For Certified Humane, this recognition reflects a commitment at the core of its work: supporting farming conditions that consider animals’ needs and contributing to concrete advances in animal welfare.

Learn more about the 2026 Benchmark

The Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark 2026, published by the Aquatic Life Institute, presents the complete assessment of the certification programs and rating agencies analyzed in this edition.

Access the full report to learn more about the methodology, evaluation criteria, and results for each program.

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However, animal welfare is not only an ethical responsibility. Providing adequate living conditions for farm animals can also benefit production systems and the future of farming businesses.

Many producers still ask an important question: Is investing in animal welfare financially worthwhile?

Does it make sense to adopt practices that allow animals to express their natural behaviors, such as eating, resting, moving, and interacting with other animals?

The answer is yes.

Animal welfare and production results can go together

Research and farm experiences show that responsible animal care practices can bring benefits to both animals and producers.

When animals are raised with proper management and conditions that meet their physical and behavioral needs, they can present better health and productivity indicators.

At the same time, consumers are paying increasing attention to how animal products are produced. The way animals are raised has become an important factor for people who want more transparency about the origin of their food.

A case study: collective housing for pigs

One example comes from a study carried out at Granja Miunça, which compared two different production systems for pigs.

In one system, piglets were born and raised in collective pens, following animal welfare recommendations. In the other, the conventional system was used, with pregnant sows kept in individual stalls with limited space.

The results showed positive production differences in the collective housing system:

• 3.5% increase in the number of piglets born alive;
• 14% higher piglet weight at weaning.

The study shows that systems designed to better meet animals’ needs can also contribute to improved production outcomes.

Source: World Animal Protection (WAP) and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) – “Collective housing of pregnant sows.”

The role of animal welfare in the future of farming

Animal welfare is becoming an increasingly important topic in food production.

For producers, adopting better farming practices means responding to changing expectations from consumers while maintaining productive and competitive operations.

For consumers, transparency about how animals are raised helps build confidence in the products they choose.

Certifications such as Certified Humane® help identify production systems that follow recognized animal welfare standards based on scientific requirements and independent inspections.

Better care, better decisions for the future

Animal welfare should not be seen as separate from business performance.

The Granja Miunça case demonstrates that providing better conditions for animals can also be associated with positive production results.

By adopting responsible practices, producers can contribute to healthier animals, more transparent production systems, and a stronger relationship with consumers.

Providing appropriate conditions for farm animals is an important part of responsible animal production. Nutrition, water, housing, the environment and handling all play a role in how animals are cared for throughout their lives.

As this subject gains greater visibility, animal welfare is becoming part of the discussion about how food is produced and what consumers expect from the industry.

The consumer is paying attention

Food companies can invest in new products and marketing campaigns, but these efforts also need to consider changes in consumer expectations.

Consumers are increasingly concerned about their health and about the origin of the food they buy. They want to know where the product on their table comes from and under what conditions the animals

 were raised before becoming part of the food supply.

This has made animal care an important consideration for the agricultural industry.

Consumers are also willing to pay more for products made with animal welfare in mind. A product carrying an animal welfare certification can be perceived as being of higher quality than one that provides no information about how the animals were raised.

For the industry, this means that good animal care practices are becoming increasingly important to the way products are produced and presented to consumers.

How did animal welfare become part of animal production?

The discussion about animal welfare began in the 1960s. In 1979, the publication of the Five Freedoms by the Farm Animal Welfare Council gave greater importance to animal welfare in discussions about farm animal production.

From that point forward, issues related to animal care became part of the conversation surrounding agricultural production.

Infrastructure, food, water, transportation and animal nutrition are among the aspects that need to be considered when looking at the conditions in which farm animals are raised.

Why do nutrition and environmental conditions matter?

Environmental management and animal nutrition are important elements of animal welfare.

hese practices also play an important role in preventing problems that can cause significant losses to the agricultural industry, such as salmonella outbreaks. The occurrence of the bacteria is associated with factors including inadequate hygiene and cleaning in environments where poultry and pigs are raised, poor management of waste and other residues, contaminated water, and a lack of control over birds, flies and rodents.

Nutrition is another factor that deserves particular attention.

Proper care of the environment and the food provided to animals is therefore an important part of managing production and protecting animal health.

Why does animal welfare certification matter?

Consumers who want to know whether a product has been produced with animal welfare in mind need reliable information. Certification provides a way to identify products that follow defined animal welfare standards.

The Certified Humane® program works to improve the lives of farm animals from birth through slaughter. Since 2003, Certified Humane® has followed the Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) Standards Manual.

The program’s standards establish specific animal welfare requirements and consider the characteristics of each species.

They are reviewed by a Scientific Committee made up of approximately 40 professionals from around the world. The committee studies the specific characteristics of each species to establish appropriate requirements for their care.

For consumers, the certification provides information about the standards followed in the production of a product. For producers and food companies, it offers a way to demonstrate their commitment to animal care through defined requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Welfare

What are the Five Freedoms?

The Five Freedoms are principles that became an important reference in discussions about farm animal welfare following their publication by the Farm Animal Welfare Council in 1979.

When did Certified Humane® begin following the HFAC Standards Manual?

Certified Humane® has followed the Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) Standards Manual since 2003.

What aspects of production are related to animal welfare?

Infrastructure, food, water, transportation, animal nutrition and environmental management are among the aspects related to animal welfare in farm animal production.

Do the standards consider the specific needs of different species?

Yes. The standards consider the specific characteristics of each species when establishing animal welfare requirements.

Learn more about Certified Humane® animal welfare standards

Animal welfare certification requires producers to follow clear guidelines related to nutrition, water availability, housing conditions, environmental management, and animal handling.

These requirements are part of the Certified Humane® standards and help ensure that pigs are raised according to practices designed to support their health, comfort, and overall well-being. In this article, we present 9 key practices required to support pig welfare in certified production systems.

1. Nutrition: healthy and adequate feed

Pigs must receive a balanced diet that provides the nutrients required for their development and different stages of production.

The nutritional needs of piglets, breeding sows, and growing pigs vary, and feed management must consider each animal’s age, weight, and physiological condition.

Beyond providing adequate feed, producers must ensure that food is accessible to all animals. Competition for feed should be minimized, as it can lead to aggression, fights, and injuries. Sows must also be protected from aggression by dominant animals within the group.

Feed may be provided through troughs that allow all pigs to eat at the same time. A space equivalent to 1.1 times the width of the animal’s shoulders is considered sufficient. Producers must ensure that feeders remain clean and functional. Certified Humane® standards require these systems to be checked twice daily.

Feed may also be provided directly on the floor, as long as the area is clean and free from contaminants.

2. Water: clean, fresh, and readily available

Pigs must have daily access to clean and fresh drinking water.

Drinkers must be properly positioned and adjusted to ensure that all animals can drink comfortably. Regular maintenance of water systems is essential to guarantee proper flow and availability.

Lactating sows require continuous access to clean water. Producers must also maintain emergency water supplies to ensure availability for at least 24 hours in case of unexpected issues, such as drought or contamination of the water source.

3. Facilities: safe environments that prevent injuries

Housing facilities must be designed to protect pigs from injuries.

Pens should not contain sharp edges, protrusions, or other structures that could harm animals. Electrical systems must be properly insulated, secured, protected from rodents, and regularly inspected.

The materials used on interior surfaces must be easy to clean and disinfect, helping reduce disease risks and maintain suitable conditions for animal well-being.

4. Environment: neither too cold nor too hot

Environmental conditions must protect pigs from extreme temperatures.

Acceptable temperature ranges vary according to animal weight and production stage. For pigs weighing more than 70 kg, for example, temperatures should remain between 10°C and 25°C.

During warmer periods, producers should adopt measures to prevent heat stress, such as providing cooling areas, mud wallows, natural or artificial shade, fans, sprinklers, drip systems, and misting systems.

5. Air quality: clean and properly ventilated

Proper ventilation is essential to maintain air quality and prevent excessive humidity, as pigs are susceptible to respiratory diseases.

Certified Humane® standards establish limits for ammonia concentration. Levels must remain below 10 ppm and should never exceed 25 ppm. Monitoring and recording of ammonia levels must be carried out regularly, at least once every two weeks.

6. Space: enough room to move freely

Providing enough space is essential for pig welfare, allowing animals to move, rest, and express natural behaviors.

The available space must be at least 1.5 times the area occupied by the animal when lying down. Specific requirements apply to growing pigs and breeding sows.

Confinement and restraint are restricted and may only be used in specific situations, such as veterinary procedures, routine examinations, or facility cleaning.

Producers should also minimize regrouping whenever possible, as changes in social groups can increase stress and aggression.

Environmental enrichment is an important part of pig welfare. Materials such as straw, wood shavings, or sawdust allow pigs to explore, root, and chew, supporting their natural behaviors.

7. Resting area: dry and comfortable

Pigs must have access to resting areas that are dry, comfortable, and large enough for all animals to lie down.

In indoor production systems, resting areas must have suitable flooring and drainage to prevent excessive moisture.

Outdoor systems require additional measures, including access to sheltered areas that protect animals from extreme weather conditions.

8. Farrowing: comfort for sows and piglets

Farrowing is one of the most important stages in pig production, as it involves both the welfare of the sow and the protection of newborn piglets.

Farrowing crates, which restrict the sow’s movement and limit interaction with piglets, are not permitted under Certified Humane® standards.

Sows must be housed in systems that allow greater freedom of movement and provide access to appropriate materials, such as straw, that support natural behaviors.

Before farrowing, sows must be provided with clean and comfortable conditions. They must remain in the farrowing area for at least 28 days after piglet birth, and farrowing pens must meet minimum space requirements of 1.8 m x 2.4 m.

9. Handling: calm and respectful management

Good pig welfare practices require animals to be handled calmly and carefully.

All employees involved in animal handling must receive appropriate training to understand pig behavior and reduce fear and stress during human interaction.

The goal is to ensure that pigs become accustomed to human contact and experience less stress when interacting with farm workers.

During preparation for transport, pigs must have access to water. A fasting period may be recommended to reduce discomfort during transportation, lasting at least four hours and no more than 18 hours before slaughter.

These practices represent only a summary of the broader Certified Humane® standards for pig production. Explore the complete standards and learn more about the practices that support better animal welfare in pig farming.

Symbols convey messages quickly and clearly. On animal-based food products, the Certified Humane® seal indicates that the product is connected to a production system evaluated according to specific animal welfare standards.

Although it occupies only a small space on the packaging, the seal represents a commitment that extends across different stages of production and the conditions in which animals are raised and handled.

Certification requires commitment

Farms and companies of different sizes can apply for Certified Humane® certification, provided they meet the standards established by the program and successfully complete the corresponding evaluation process.

On the other hand, not all companies are willing to follow this path or meet its requirements. 

In fact, some publicly advocate for animal welfare but disregard it when no one is watching: on farms with inadequate facilities, during improper transportation, or in poorly maintained slaughterhouses. Under these conditions, cattle, pigs, poultry, and other species that are part of our food supply chain may become ill, suffer, or be injured.

Distinguishing those who are genuinely committed from those seeking easy financial gain through empty rhetoric is part of the mission of the Certified Humane Institute, a nonprofit, non-governmental organization.

The certification mark displayed by companies indicates that, at some point, a business partner or farm owner made the decision that their business should not grow at the expense of unnecessary animal suffering.

How the Certified Humane® certification process works

To obtain certification, a company may need to adapt its production line or farm. It may also need to invest in employee training.

Above all, it must commit to transparency by periodically opening its facilities to inspections conducted by trained inspectors who visit the operation to verify whether good practices are being followed. The assessment considers technical criteria related to feed, access to water, health, housing, space, transportation, proper handling, and slaughter practices, when applicable.

As a result, the certification process helps consumers identify brands they can trust. More than just an image on the packaging, it represents auditing, accountability, and continuous improvement.

A symbol that helps consumers make informed choices

In a market where many brands talk about responsibility, independent certification helps distinguish those that are willing to demonstrate their practices according to technical standards.

The label does not replace complete information about production, but it provides a clear signal at the point of purchase. For consumers concerned about where their food comes from and the conditions in which animals are raised, this information can help support more informed choices.

Choosing certified products is also a way to recognize companies that invest in good practices and agree to undergo external assessments.

In short, the Certified Humane® seal demonstrates that animal welfare should not be treated merely as a marketing claim, but as a verifiable practice. To learn more about this topic, continue exploring our blog and discover how your purchasing decisions can help support more responsible production chains.

Today, over 70 billion farm animals are raised and slaughtered worldwide, but only 33% of them live in facilities that prioritize their welfare. Bringing conscious consumption to the forefront can change the way these animals live, especially when they are subjected to inadequate treatment.

Over 90% of consumers agree that animals raised humanely produce higher-quality protein. And this is not just an assumption.

One example is what can happen when pigs and cattle experience stress in the moments before slaughter. This can result in meat that is more fibrous and tough, with a less palatable texture and a darker color.

If animals live in small spaces, with a shortage of water or food, they may end up fighting. This can cause injuries that remove them from the production line, lead to weight loss, leave scars and even result in the loss of meat.

What is conscious consumption?

A conscious consumer can positively influence those around them and generate a collective change in habits. Buying products that do not harm the environment, are not the result of the exploitation of human beings or animals, and use natural resources wisely is already a good start.

Taking into account the interests of the whole – and not just of a single company – by enabling negotiation and sustainable consumption that gives preference to recyclable or reusable products helps define the meaning of conscious consumption.

Where does the food you eat come from? 

Part of conscious consumption is identifying where the items you buy come from, especially food. Does the brand your family likes treat well the hens that lay the eggs or the cow that provides the milk?

You might ask yourself: how do I find this out so I can change my habits? It is neither difficult nor impossible. One way is to buy products with certification labels, such as Certified Humane®, which certifies that farm animals have been treated with respect, without being deprived of proper care, and without going hungry or thirsty. 

A product bearing the Certified Humane® seal – identified on the food packaging – means that the animal from which the raw material used in the product comes was raised according to animal welfare standards from birth until slaughter.

Through humane handling, consumers are given assurance that, in addition to strictly auditing animal health, there has also been an inspection of the place where the animal lives and the food it consumes.

With animal welfare certification, for example, it is possible to trace the product or the ingredients used after processing. This tracking involves identifying the food’s movement through specific stages, from production to distribution.

The role of the consumer

Besides price, do you consider the environment, human health and animal welfare? Conscious consumption means knowing that every action has a positive or negative impact and trying to increase the positive ones while reducing the negative ones.

Consumers have a responsibility to demand that companies not only take a stand, but also have an action plan that specifically considers how to improve the lives of those who provide food or inputs for its production.

Learn more and choose companies that prioritize more than just profit. Click here to find food products from farms that prioritize animal welfare. Access our content and discover how to contribute to conscious consumption.

The first step is understanding that farm animals must be raised without physical suffering, unnecessary stress or environmental discomfort throughout all stages of their lives. This means recognizing that they are sentient beings, capable of feeling pain, fear, discomfort and positive states. In fact, the meaning of animal welfare goes beyond simply providing food and water. It is necessary to understand the specific needs of each species and adapt farms and production systems to meet those needs.

For animals to live well, it is necessary to provide them with:

• A balanced diet with the necessary nutrients for healthy development;
• Ingredients and practices that do not compromise their integrity;
• No use of antibiotics as growth promoters, except when needed for disease treatment under veterinary guidance;
• A suitable place to rest and move safely;
• Adequate access to feed and clean water;
• The opportunity to interact with other animals of the same species;
• A rearing system in which they can express natural behaviors.

Animal welfare seal

Certification is one of the clearest ways for consumers to know that the food they buy comes from animals raised according to recognized welfare standards. The Certified Humane® seal can be found on the packaging of products such as meat – including pork, beef and poultry – eggs and milk, as well as processed products that include certified animal-derived ingredients, such as pasta made with eggs or foods prepared with milk and dairy ingredients.

The work of Certified Humane® is to verify that companies and producers understand animal welfare and comply with the standards of Humane Farm Animal Care. One of its objectives is to help provide better living conditions for farm animals and make consumers aware that they can choose products from brands committed to responsible animal care throughout the production cycle.

Why get certified?

Consumers are increasingly attentive to products that come from production systems where animals are mistreated or kept in inadequate conditions. Certification shows that a product follows recognized standards for the care of farm animals. It can also open the door to a growing market and support greater credibility, efficiency and transparency in production. Producers of meat, including pork, beef, lamb and poultry, as well as eggs, milk and dairy products, can seek certification. Food companies that use certified animal-derived ingredients as raw materials can also apply.

By obtaining certification, companies strengthen their reputation and connect with consumers, retailers, restaurants, hotels and food service companies that value responsible sourcing. Below is the step-by-step process for obtaining animal welfare certification:

• Learn about the standards that must be met;
• Read the HFAC – Humane Farm Animal Care – Standards Manual, which explains the certification process;
• Request the required forms from Certified Humane®;
• After document verification, an inspector visits the production unit to validate the information and confirm that the requirements are being implemented;
• Once all requirements are met, certification is granted;
• The Certified Humane® seal can be used on approved product packaging to show consumers that the producer or manufacturer follows animal welfare standards;
• Each year, the producer receives a new inspection to ensure continued compliance with the requirements.

Consumers must choose certified products

Today, consumers have more information and are increasingly aware of how their choices influence the market. This is why many food companies, retailers, restaurants and hospitality groups have been reviewing their supply chains and seeking products from farms that follow animal welfare standards. The consumer’s role is essential for this change. By rejecting products linked to poor animal treatment and choosing certified options, consumers help encourage better practices throughout the food production chain.

How can you help as a consumer? First, look for and buy products that carry the Certified Humane® seal for animal welfare. Second, if your usual store, restaurant or market does not offer certified products, ask for them. You can also encourage family and friends to choose products that come from farms committed to better animal care.

Animals should not have to suffer. Good practices benefit everyone: consumers, producers, companies and retailers. Objectively speaking, animal welfare means providing animals with the conditions they need to live according to the natural behaviors of their species, with proper nutrition, health, comfort and care.

Visit our educational materials page to learn more about animal welfare and Certified Humane® certification.

In recent decades, food production systems have made important progress in management, monitoring and care. However, beyond ethical issues and investments, it is also necessary to recognize the role of producers in applying practices that offer animals better living conditions.

With that in mind, we have listed six attitudes that reinforce the importance of animal welfare in the production environment and show how this approach can benefit animals, producers, companies, consumers and society as a whole.

1. Understand the importance of animal welfare

Animal welfare science recognizes that farm animals are sentient beings and can experience positive and negative states. For this reason, responsible care must consider physical health, emotional state and the environment where animals are raised.

To assess whether animals are being kept under appropriate conditions, it is important to observe whether:

• They are not suffering from hunger or thirst;
• They are not exposed to discomfort;
• They are free from injuries, diseases and pain;
• They have an environment that allows natural behaviors according to their species;
• They are not exposed to unnecessary fear or stress.

Animals raised with proper care tend to show fewer signs of stress, better health indicators and more stable production outcomes. This contributes to higher-quality products and more reliable farming systems.

2. Learn and apply good practices

Caring for farm animals requires understanding how each species behaves, what its basic needs are and how daily handling should be carried out. These needs include nutrition, climate, health, housing, space, social interaction and management.

This is the first step toward raising animals responsibly throughout their lives. To follow good production practices, producers should:

1. Provide a balanced diet with the nutrients animals need;
2. Avoid substances or practices that compromise natural development;
3. Ensure adequate housing according to the production system used;
4. Support social interaction among animals of the same species;
5. Provide environments that allow natural behaviors;
6. Follow specific welfare standards for each species.

3. Follow recognized standards

Animal welfare standards are objective and essential for responsible production and certification. They define what can and should be done in farming systems to provide appropriate conditions for each species.

These standards go beyond eliminating confinement. They also include:

• Correct access to food and water;
• Adequate space for each animal;
• Environmental conditions that reduce discomfort and stress;
• Proper handling during daily management;
• Care during transport;
• Hygiene practices to prevent disease;
• Correct treatment when animals are sick or injured.

By following these rules, producers can reduce risks, improve farm management and strengthen the reliability of their production systems. 

4. Obtain certification

Certification helps show consumers, companies and business partners that a product follows recognized standards of care. It also serves as evidence that food was produced with respect for farm animals.

The Certified Humane® seal can be found on products such as meat, eggs and milk, as well as on processed foods that contain at least one ingredient of animal origin.

Certified Humane® is one of the leading farm animal welfare certification programs in the world. The certification verifies whether producers and companies comply with standards based on scientific knowledge, veterinary guidance and practical experience in the field.

For producers, certification can also strengthen market positioning, especially among buyers that value transparency, traceability and responsible sourcing.

5. Respond to the conscious consumer

Consumers and companies are paying more attention to how food is produced. In Asia and other regions, this topic has become increasingly relevant for retailers, restaurants, hotels, food service companies and brands seeking more responsible supply chains.

For producers, adopting better care practices can become a competitive advantage. It helps meet buyer expectations, builds trust in the production process and supports the development of products aligned with new market demands.

A supply chain committed to humane farming also improves relationships with business partners and increases recognition among consumers who value responsible food production.

6. Make a long-term commitment

The importance of animal welfare in the production chain goes beyond theory. It requires a practical and ongoing commitment from producers, companies and everyone involved in the food industry.

This commitment generates collective benefits:

• Animals receive better care and more appropriate living conditions;
• Farming systems become more organized and reliable;
• Companies can offer products with greater transparency;
• Consumers gain access to food produced according to recognized standards;
• The market advances toward more responsible and sustainable practices.

Animal care is part of a broader shift in how food is produced, purchased and consumed. For this reason, investing in better practices is not only an ethical decision, but also a strategic step for producers and companies that want to be prepared for the future of the food sector.

If you are interested in learning more about how animal welfare is promoted in production chains or want to understand the step-by-step process for obtaining Certified Humane® certification, download our free materials and learn more about its impact on the future of your business.

In these cases, producers often choose to use antibiotics to prevent animals from getting sick as a result of weakened immunity, which can occur in pig farming. In most cases, consumers do not approve of this practice.

A project focused on raising pigs together from a young age

Faced with this consumer refusal, Embrapa Swine and Poultry – the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation – has been conducting research on animal welfare for several years. Now, the results of this work are beginning to appear. The project focuses on small-scale pig farming and completely excludes the use of antimicrobials. No antibiotics of any kind are added to the animals’ water or feed. In addition, the pigs are raised together from birth until slaughter. They are not mixed with other animals and live as a group from a young age.

According to researcher Nelson Mores, eliminating antibiotics in pig farming is justified because their use can lead to resistance in infectious agents. There is evidence that the more an antimicrobial is used, the greater the likelihood of producing bacteria resistant to it.

“When the producer really needs a specific antibiotic to treat an infection, it will no longer be effective,” he explains.

How the Certified Humane® seal adds value to pig production

Reducing the use of antibiotics is not the only factor that can lower stress in pig farming. Other practices must also be implemented to promote pig welfare. It is important to provide animals with good nutrition, follow biosecurity rules and allow pigs to move freely in the pens. Other basic measures include not docking piglets’ tails or extracting their teeth.

This model works, and some farms are already using it in pig farming. It is estimated that pork products from this type of production can increase in value by 10% to 20%. There is still no scientific evidence that meat produced without antibiotics is better than meat from an animal that has been medicated. However, it is the consumer who decides what they want to consume.

It is already a fact that animal welfare is highly important to consumers when making purchases. For this reason, producer companies must adapt as soon as possible and invest in more compassionate and responsible production practices.

One example is Chew’s Agriculture, one of the largest egg farms in Singapore. In 2019, the company signed a 10-year sustainability-linked loan of approximately US$ 19 million with DBS Bank. Following Humane Farm Animal Care standards was crucial for Chew’s Agriculture to obtain lower interest rates.

Another major example is Fazenda da Toca, the largest producer of organic eggs in Latin America and a Certified Humane® seal holder. The company raised more than US$ 4 million through the issuance of an Agribusiness Receivables Certificate (CRA, in its Portuguese acronym) with a green seal. It was the first Green Bond granted to the laying hen sector in Brazil. The company aimed to increase its production of free-range and cage-free eggs by 133% by 2024.

Fazenda da Toca, led by entrepreneur Pedro Paulo Diniz, is located in Itirapina, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, and covers 2,300 hectares. Among the various sustainable activities developed by the company, the increased production of organic and free-range eggs with the Certified Humane® seal stands out. For the company to obtain the CRA with a green seal in the national poultry sector, which had been unprecedented until then, having the Certified Humane® seal was essential.

“This operation means a great deal not only for Fazenda da Toca, but for the entire organic products segment in Brazil. It is a clear demonstration that there is growing investment in regenerative and sustainable projects, which broadens growth prospects for our sector. This type of financing is the perfect combination of financial return and economic viability with positive environmental and social impact,” said entrepreneur Pedro Paulo Diniz to the newspaper Valor Econômico. Certified cattle farming has also obtained a CRA. 

Fazenda da Toca follows in the footsteps of Rizoma Agro, another company certified by Certified Humane® under the beef cattle standard, which in 2020 also raised more than US$ 4 million through an Agribusiness Receivables Certificate (CRA). It was the world’s first Green Bond issuance for agricultural financing of rural producers with certification from the British Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI).

Located in the city of Iaras, in the state of São Paulo, with 1,200 hectares of productive area, Rizoma Agro is also owned by entrepreneur Pedro Paulo Diniz. The company is investing the funds raised in the cultivation of corn, soybeans, beans, oats, chickpeas and lime, as well as in beef cattle farming and agroforestry. Part of the capital is also being used for irrigation and for a biological products factory for pest and disease control.

The strong potential of sustainable agribusiness and animal welfare are major economic drivers. According to the Climate Bonds Initiative itself, the investment potential for agriculture in Brazil is estimated at US$ 131 billion by 2030. Financing agricultural, livestock and other animal farming projects is seen as a promising opportunity for the coming years. The Certified Humane® seal has undoubtedly proven to be an important factor in attracting investors.