Fattorie Osella sets Italian dairy cows animal welfare standard
The certification of well-being for its dairy cows is in accordance with the Protocol of the National Animal Welfare Reference Center (CReNBA) at the Zooprofilattico Institute of Brescia.
Fattorie Osella produces fresh and partially-aged cheeses using milk from farmers located within 50km of the factory in the region of Piedmont (Turin/Cuneo areas).
At the beginning of 2016, Fattorie Osella launched the welfare project in collaboration with the Experimental Zooprofilattico Institutes of Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta.
Also involved was Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), an international organization advocating for farm-animal welfare, in accordance with the CReNBA Protocol.
Part of company strategy
Paolo Amadori, business manager at Fattorie Osella, said that the cows’ welfare is a priority in the company’s long-term sustainability strategy.
“It’s our firm belief that a high level of well-being, guaranteeing that animals are in good health and free from suffering, translates into better quality, and safety, in their milk.”
Amadori said animal welfare goes beyond physical health.
“It… also includes their psychological wellness and ability to express natural behaviors. The animals’ welfare is respected when they are in good health, they feel well and are free from pain.”
In 1979, FAWC (Farm Animal Welfare Council) stated five freedoms to which the concept of animal welfare refers:
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst; access to a sufficient supply of fresh water and food that will keep the animal in good health
2. Freedom to have an appropriate physical environment, including shelter and space to rest
3. Freedom from pain, injury and illness through prevention, timely diagnosis and care
4. Freedom to act out natural behaviors thanks to sufficient space, an appropriate environment and the company of healthy specimens of the same breed
5. Freedom from fear and discomfort thanks to conditions and care that prevent psychological suffering
Protecting the planet
Massimo Estrinelli, managing director Italy & Greece Meals Mondelēz International, a shareholder at Fattorie Osella, together with the Mondelēz family, said, “We have always adopted and supported agricultural programs and practices that help develop a sustainable supply chain providing high quality raw materials.
“Animal welfare is part of our corporate strategy, the Call for Well-being, whose main objective is to protect the health of humanity and the planet.”
Elisa Bianco, head of CIWF’s food sector, said the animals are not protected by legislation.
“With that in mind, we truly appreciate Fattorie Osella’s commitment to working closely with the dairy farmers, with research institutes and with us to actively monitor the animal welfare indicators and to put an assessment program into practice to gauge the physical and psychological well-being of all of its milk cows,” Bianco said.
