Aurora Coop Implements Comprehensive Animal Welfare Standards
Aurora Coop, a prominent agricultural cooperative, has established a comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy aimed at reinforcing its zero-tolerance stance against animal mistreatment. This policy delegates responsibility across employees, integrated producers, and partners within the supply chain.
Key measures under this policy include the expansion of collective gestation systems for sows, environmental enrichment for poultry and pigs, and the adoption of a cage-free policy for eggs used in industrial processes. The cooperative has also modernized its poultry transportation systems.
Continuous training for those involved in the supply chain is a pivotal aspect of this initiative, supported by regular audits, rural property certification programs, and ongoing technical evaluations. Aurora Coop is now focusing on quantifying these practices through indicators to track process performance, identify improvement opportunities, and direct investments effectively.
Routine monitoring of these indicators supports decision-making processes that affect producers' daily operations, infrastructure investments, and training plans. This data management is connected to a structured system for monitoring and notifying suppliers. Every animal received at industrial units undergoes an evaluation to detect any non-compliance, allowing for corrective measures to be implemented as necessary.
The cooperative is currently audited under international animal welfare protocols, such as those from the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and NSF – Global Animal Wellness Standards. This aligns integrated farms with global sector references.
Aurora Coop views these indicators as more than just control tools; they represent the culmination of a culture developed over the years, linking animal welfare, process quality, operational efficiency, and sustainability. The cooperative remains committed to investing in knowledge, innovation, and continuous improvement, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
