Project “Welfare for all” contributes to sustainable development of Danube Region and the objectives of the European Union strategy for this region. Project was implemented during 2013-2014 and was funded by the EU and Austrian Development Agency. Its value was 227.055,71 EUR.

Aim of the “Welfare for all” project was to strengthen the local livestock production in the Danube region in Serbia, through the introduction of farm animal welfare standards in the practice of keeping and breeding animals. This way, the project have direct impact on strengthening of the competitiveness of local producers, improvement of food quality and safety, introduction of sustainable livestock production practices and environmental protection.

Project main activities:

  • Research on consumers’ attitudes on the link between farm animal welfare and food safety and quality
  • Socio-economic analysis of the introduction of farm animal welfare standards
  • Training farmers and their associations about the ways in which animal welfare could increase animal productivity, boost their profits and protect the environment.
  • Trainings of agricultural extension services of the Ministry of Agriculture with an aim to gain relevant knowledge and skills in order to support farmers to achieve better animal welfare i.e. establish sustainable livestock production on their farms.
  • Trainings of veterinary inspectors at the Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture aiming to build capacities of the state administration to effectively implement animal welfare legislation. As part of these trainings and in cooperation with experts from the University of Bristol (United Kingdom), farm animal welfare assessment protocols were developed. These protocols have been officially adopted in 2015 by the Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture as official mandatory tools for veterinary inspectors when conducting aniaml welfare controls on farms.
  • Informing and introducing meat, milk and egg producing operaters and retailers about the ways in which animal welfare can influence better marketing and placement of animal-based food products.
  • Informing the public on the importance of farm animal welfare for improving quality and safety of animal-based food products, as well as sustainable development and environmental protection.

Project “Welfare for all” was implemented in partnership with five local self-governments: the city of Sremska Mitrovica, the city of Zajecar, municipalities of Knjaževac, Mali Zvornik and Bogatić. Associate partners of this projects were the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (Veterinary Directorate and Group for institutional support to rural development), municipalities of Veliko Gradiste, Golubac and Vrsac, Belgrade Chamber of Commerce and the Agency for Rural Development Zajecar.

To find out more about food safety and animal welfare and ORCA’s activities in this area visit: www.bezbednosthrane.orca.rs