We are happy to share that VPJ Alimentos, a Brazilian cold cut and meat processing company, publicized its decision to work exclusively with suppliers that keep sows in group pens throughout gestation, in the ‘preimplantation’ system, along other animal welfare standards. You can see their public commitment in Portuguese here.

Scale: We estimate this commitment will impact over 3,700 animals per year.

Timeline: 2 years.

Who: Alianima, Fórum Animal and Humane Society International.

Successful Tactics: VPJ Alimentos hadn't publicised the animal welfare guidelines already established for the company when selecting suppliers. Through a friendly corporate engagement Alianima, Fórum Animal and Humane Society International negotiated the importance for the company to publish its animal welfare standards in order to promote progress in the sector, especially the adoption of the pre implantation system in sows gestation. 

The animal welfare standards of the company includes: sows into “preimplantation’ group housing system since 2018; abolition of ears notching for identification since 2018; use of immunocastration in male piglets since 2018; use of antimicrobials for therapeutic purposes only, without preventative and metaphylactic use or as a growth promoter since 2017; adoption of environmental enrichment and reduced stall density from the nursery stage onwards to prevent tail biting and mitigate its consequences since 2018. 

Follow Up: We asked that company to be more transparent concerning tail docking and encourage VPJ to share its success story in internal and external animal welfare reports.