IMPLEMENTATION METHOLOGY
The CoWel protocol will undergo a pilot phase across several dairy cow farms within the Business Group membership. This initiative ensures the inclusion of a significant number of animals (over 150) to yield robust and comprehensive results.
The Work Packages (EPs)
The CoWel project consists of a series of Work Packages (WPs). In WP1, a thorough review and analysis of existing literature data will be conducted, focusing on current practices and protocols related to animal welfare and quality assurance, gathered from indirect sources. Transitioning to WP2, data collection activities will be undertaken to assess the awareness levels of potential users and understand their behavioral dynamics concerning animal welfare. Subsequently, the animal welfare quality criteria identified in WP1 and WP2 will be consolidated and organized into the first version of the CoWel Quality Standard (WP3).
CoWel will be tested in practice by collaborating producers following their participation in a training program, enabling them to implement necessary interventions on their farms. In WP4, a demonstration farm will be established to adopt CoWel, allowing for the identification and correction of any shortcomings or weaknesses in the Standard during the pilot phase.
Simultaneously, the company MEVGAL will conduct market research and technical-economic analyses, investigating the commercial viability of CoWel. MEVGAL will provide feedback based on the results, contributing to the development of the definitive version of the Standard. Additionally, MEVGAL will absorb the produced quantities of milk and initiate pilot promotions in local markets (WP5).
The dissemination activities outlined in the Operational Plan will play a crucial role in ensuring the future utilization of the Standard and its adaptation to production and consumer needs (WP6).
The Innovation
The innovation embedded within the Operational Plan primarily revolves around two key aspects: (a) the integration of animal welfare principles into the cow’s milk production process by farmers, and (b) the pilot launch of a high-value-added product into the market. The Operational Plan will encompass the entire production chain and will be structured around the following:
- Implementation of the CoWel Standard by the cow farmers participating in the project’s demonstration farms, accompanied by recommendations for its utilization. This implementation will be designed to enhance traceability in the final product and streamline the evaluation process for farms by official control authorities.
- Trial market entry of a quantity of milk, potentially in the form of a new product such as yogurt, sourced from the project’s demonstration farms. This initiative aligns with the dairy industry’s aim to promote products with an “animal-friendly” profile, offering compensatory benefits for producers.
- Additionally, the project will leverage the behavioral dynamics of Greek dairy consumers, allowing for selection based on criteria that adhere to animal welfare standards.