On March 17, we decided to temporarily suspend certification until August 2025. The company disagreed with this decision, claiming it involved an incident with four workers,” said an official source from Welfair in a statement to Lusa.
From this date, Lusiaves’ meat packaging will not bear the seal that assures consumers of adherence to good animal welfare practices.
However, starting in August, the company can attempt to regain this seal. To do so, it must apply for re-certification, undergo a new audit, and meet all standards required by the certifying entity.
The Lusiaves group suspended four employees from a farm in Figueira da Foz after the association Frente Animal released images showing workers mistreating animals and several injured and dead chickens.
The images were shared on the association’s Instagram over the weekend and were allegedly captured in November at a farm of the group in Figueira da Foz, certified with the Welfair seal since 2022.
The publication features scenes of workers mistreating animals, wounded birds with broken wings and exposed organs, and dozens of dead animals.
The company stated that not all images shown were from the “Quinta de Matinhos” poultry farm but confirmed that an inquiry process was initiated, resulting in the suspension of four employees for indications of “practices contrary to animal welfare, committed completely without the company’s knowledge.”
Lusiaves also conducted inquiries at other farms in the municipality but found no issues compromising animal welfare, considering the “Quinta de Matinhos” incident as an “isolated episode” attributable to the four employees.
Less than 24 hours after the alert, Welfair sent an auditor to the farm, accompanied by a representative from the national certifying body.
On-site verification confirmed that some images were taken at the farm, but no maltreatment was observed.
At the time, the farm had many chickens approximately three days old, making it impossible to carry out an audit.
In the slaughterhouse usually associated with the farm, a “higher than expected mortality rate” was noted, meaning a higher number of chickens were sent than anticipated.
From this, Welfair “recommended the suspension” of the seal. The national certifying entity granted the company a period to respond.
“We deeply regret the maltreatment visible in the images. This does not represent the sector. Based on our experience, Portuguese and Spanish producers work well,” Welfair stated, urging that reports be made swiftly so that occurrences can be verified and addressed.
On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Lusiaves was under investigation by Welfair, according to a circular accessed by Lusa.
Lusa contacted Lusiaves but received no response.
