OBJECTIVES
In today’s market, many consumers of animal products are highly price-conscious.
However, recent surveys have highlighted the presence of consumer groups who prioritize purchasing items with attributes, including those related to animal welfare.
This approach creates market opportunities for products that uphold higher standards of animal welfare, either as standalone quality criteria or in conjunction with other attributes, surpassing the requirements set by relevant European legislation (EC Feasibility Study, 2009). The project tackles this market dynamic by crafting a Quality Standard for Ensuring the Welfare of Dairy Cows at the farm level, known as COWEL. Its primary aim is to elevate the welfare standards of dairy cows, offering the following benefits:
- Empowering Greek cow farmers to produce goods with increased added value, thereby enhancing the economic sustainability of their farms.
- Enabling Greek consumers to opt for milk certified for the welfare of animals at the originating farms.
Furthermore, certified breeders will be eligible to participate in aid schemes. Finally, the Standard can be utilized by official regulatory bodies, simplifying the procedures for assessing the welfare status of cows at the farm level.
