We move Brasil Foods (BRF) to protect millions of farm animals

As the seventh largest agro-food company in the world, Brazilian food company BRF, is responsible for the lives of millions of animals each year.

We will be working with BRF to integrate animal welfare into their production and supply chain, which gives us the opportunity to achieve positive change for animals on a truly global scale.

Phasing out sow stalls

As the partnership begins, BRF has made an incredible first commitment to phase out sow stalls in favour of group housing over a twelve year period, in line with EU standards.

Sow stalls confine pregnant pigs to crates so narrow they cannot turn around. Pigs kept in these conditions often suffer from psychological distress, weakened muscles and an increased risk of infections.

But in group housing, pregnant pigs are placed in larger pens where they have space to move around and socialise with other pigs - a huge improvement to the pigs' welfare.

As BRF is the fourth biggest pig producer in the world, exporting to Ukraine, Russia, Hong Kong and Japan, this commitment will change the lives of a vast number of pigs.

We will be working together with BRF to provide technical support and monitor this progressive change.

Animal welfare in sustainable pig production

Our partnership was announced at a roundtable event that we hosted last month to discuss animal welfare in the pig production industry in Brazil.

The discussion brought together animal welfare experts, the Brazilian Ministry for Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) and the University of São Paulo.

Watch the film below to learn more about the event:

Ruud Tombock, our European Director, said: “Brazil is at the tipping point of pioneering sustainable animal production.

“When animal welfare advocates, governments and the meat industry engage in areas of mutual interest, we show that humane farming can be both sustainable and profitable.”

Learn more about our work with animals in farming.

Image: A pig in group housing at an indoor pig farm in the UK (Thomas Alexander)

When animal welfare advocates, governments and the meat industry engage, we show that humane farming can be sustainable and profitable.