Our Cause
MISSION, PURPOSE AND BUSINESS STRATEGY
In recent years we have maintained the ambition to make BRF the most relevant and inspiring food company in the world, with a business model that values the final consumer, the strength of its brands and the robustness of the production chain.
As part of this ambition, we held consultations with several internal and external stakeholders, with the objective of mapping perceptions about the key issues of the present and future, and the social, environmental and economic impacts related to our activities. Several stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, consumers, BRF employees and senior management, identified the relevance of issues related to the company’s business and industry, including animal welfare practices.
Thus, BRF recognizes that valuing natural capital in its productive processes and relations is essential and its full responsibility as a promoter of sustainable development. Therefore, we work continuously on large fronts that include not only our own operations, but the chain as a whole, including human development, eco-efficiency, among others.
Credit: World Animal Protection Brasil (WAP)
BRF wants to positively transform its entire global chain by acting in an increasingly ethical and responsible way. Animal production is our basis for action, so animal welfare is naturally one of our great causes, and we encourage it not only within but also outside the BRF universe.
We structure our practices and commitments through the global Animal Welfare Program (BRF), which establishes policies, standards, processes, indicators and continuous training, respecting the specifics of each locality where we operate, whether environmental, cultural, climatic or religious. With this program, we want to tread a world built on a solid and true foundation. The program includes the evaluation of gaps and opportunities, with a short, medium and long-term action plans to achieve our overall goal of maximizing animal welfare.
To give more support to the program, since 2014 we have partnered with the NGO World Animal Protection (WAP), which is a partner in identifying opportunities for improvement that are proven to work together for animal welfare. Together, we look for continuous advances in the processes that involve the animals.
Regular meetings of the focal points of the partnership to monitor the actions taken, as well as the Technical Groups in which the ongoing projects are discussed. Also, quarterly a review of the indicators established together with the WAP is made to measure the evolution of BRF in this area.
OUR ACTIONS
The commitment and transparency of BRF are recognized by its presence in the International Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW), ranking the 2nd level for two consecutive years. The company also has a case in the booklet “The Business Principles for Food and Agriculture” as guiding principles for the UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work is guided by the BRF Animal Welfare Commitments, publicly assumed, with global application and in all stages of our production process. These commitments are guided by standards that go beyond Brazilian and, in some respects, international norms and laws, as well as by the five freedoms of animals, which are recognized by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), which are:
1
Physiological
freedom
animals free from
hunger, thirst and
malnutrition.
2
Environmental
freedom
animals free of
discomfort
3
Health
freedom
animals free of
aches, injuries and
diseases.
4
Behavioral
freedom
animals free to
express their
natural behavior.
5
Psychological
freedom
animals free
from fear
and anguish
We also have a team of ambassadors called Welfare Officers who are empowered to be responsible for ensuring compliance with these guidelines, commitments and goals.
We actively participate in discussions on animal welfare in sectoral entities, such as the Brazilian Animal Protein Association and the International Poultry Council, of which we are members. In addition, through the sharing of our technical knowledge and financial support, we support scientific congresses related to the subject in reference universities, such as the University of São Paulo (USP).