Provacuno organized the first European Animal Welfare Symposium in Madrid on November 14, 2022. The event aimed to promote animal welfare and respond to the demands of European citizens. More than 200 scientists, technicians, producers, certifiers, and farmers attended the conference, where they discussed the latest scientific and technical knowledge on ruminant animal welfare for meat production. The symposium featured talks by several experts, including philosopher Fernando Savater and veterinarian Carolina Cucurella. The meeting aimed to take a step towards sustainable production systems, recognizing that animal welfare is a priority for sustainability and is inextricably linked to ethical, political, economic, environmental, and social issues. The organizers plan to hold the event annually in different locations.
Spain values animal welfare in the beef industry for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, there is growing public concern about the welfare of animals in the beef industry, which has prompted the government and industry to take steps to address these concerns. Additionally, there is increasing recognition that animal welfare is important for sustainability, and that animal production and welfare are closely linked to ethical, political, economic, environmental, and social issues. In addition to these factors, Spain is a major producer and exporter of beef, and maintaining high standards of animal welfare can help to enhance the country’s reputation and competitiveness in the global marketplace. Finally, there are also legal and regulatory requirements at both the national and European Union levels that require Spain to take animal welfare seriously in the beef industry.
In conclusion, Spain’s increasing focus on animal welfare in the beef industry reflects a growing awareness of the importance of sustainability and ethical concerns in beef production. With its significant role in the global beef market, Spain’s commitment to maintaining high standards of animal welfare not only benefits animal welfare but also enhances the country’s reputation and competitiveness. The recent European Animal Welfare Symposium organized by Provacuno is evidence of Spain’s dedication to promoting animal welfare and responding to the demands of European citizens. The event aimed to promote sustainable production systems by highlighting the importance of animal welfare in addressing social issues. As Spain continues to prioritize animal welfare in the beef industry, it will likely serve as a positive example to other countries in the industry.
Photo credits: ©PROVACUNO/Organización Interprofesional Agroalimentaria de la Carne de Vacuno