FAQ - Frequently asked questions

We have put together a list of frequently asked questions that we have come across along the way. Questions and answers will be added as they arise.

Currently, there are no other independent animal welfare labels in Finland.

For the last six years, operators who have invested in and advanced animal welfare in Finland have been using the WelfareQuality protocol and certificate. WQ protocol measures animal welfare on farms but does not inform the consumer about, for example, housing conditions. WQ audits can be carried out on all types of farms and the results can vary from bad to good. The main indicator of housing conditions on the market today is the term "free", which is defined variably by different operators.

ELVI is an independent label that sets the same requirements for all operators. In addition to verifying animal welfare through the WQ method, the ELVI label also guarantees the free movement of animals, a high level of resting comfort, and outdoor exercise. ELVI farms are also covered by national health schemes, which means that farms advance animal health through regular veterinary visits.

In the Eurobarometer survey published in the spring 2016, 90% of Finns wanted better protection for farm animals. In 2006, the figure was 67%. Finland had the highest increase in any European country on the matter. In the future, the use of animals for food production will have to be better justified.

Animal welfare can vary from poor to good under national legislation and some statutory monitoring of farms takes place. There are big differences between farms. Not having a welfare label does not mean malaise, but it does not guarantee welfare either. The ELVI label guarantees comprehensive well-being.

Producers do not pay for the use of the ELVI label. The ELVI label is paid for by companies that want to use the ELVI label on their products. Neither the company managing the ELVI label, nor its auditors have a customer relationship with the farms, which increases the independence of the audit. The fee paid by companies that have signed up to the ELVI label is proportionate to the company's size and turnover.

The ELVI criteria are an everyday practice for few producers already. Research on animal welfare has increased significantly in recent years, and some practices and production methods have been found to be better than others in terms of animal welfare.

Farm practices and housing conditions affect the animals' experience of their well-being in different ways, ranging from poor to good. The conditions defined in the ELVI label aim to support these particularly good practices, which not only prevent suffering but also allow animals to have positive experiences and live a more species-specific life.

Not having a welfare label does not automatically mean that there is malaise, but without the label consumers cannot be sure of the absence of it either.

The ELVI label is owned and controlled by an independent organisation, Finwelfare Ltd. Finwelfare Ltd's board consists of top experts in animal welfare science. Personnel overseeing the operations are in charge of running systematic audits. All ELVI-auditors are certified WelfareQuality-auditors. Read more

The level of animal welfare on ELVI farms is assessed once a year. If needed, additional inspections are carried out on farms based on risk assessment or suspicion. Product tracings are performed for foodstuffs under ELVI label annually to ensure that ELVI packaging encases raw material originating from ELVI farms.

ELVI is an independent animal welfare certification and labelling scheme with strict requirements and a strong scientific background. ELVI is Finland’s first animal welfare label.

Animal welfare is an essential aspect of the sustainability of animal production and a prerequisite for the continuance of using animal-based food.

The promotion of animal welfare on livestock farms must be based on a model of continuous improvement. What you can measure, you can improve. That is why the ELVI welfare label is based on a system that enables farms to develop individually and, in a solution-oriented way.

The law defines the baseline of animal welfare, while welfare measurement defines the actual level of welfare.

The law defines the minimum level of animal welfare. Conditions that do not meet the minimum requirements set by law cause suffering to the animal or expose it to a significant risk of suffering.

However, animal welfare can be addressed beyond the minimum level set by law, and through a different approach, for example by improving our understanding of the species-specific needs of the animal and by better understanding animal behaviour. This way it is possible to increase the positive experiences in an animal's life and shift the focus from eliminating negative issues to increasing positive experiences.

The ELVI label is based on the scientifically validated WelfareQuality protocol, which measures the overall welfare of animals and allows farms to develop individually and in a solution-oriented manner, and to receive clear feedback on their performance.

Farms must reach either an advanced or excellent level in the WQ audit. These are the two highest levels of the four-tier system. The farm receives a comprehensive report of the WQ audit where the different aspects of animal welfare are scored on a scale of 0-100. This allows the farm to see immediately where their strengths and areas for improvement lie.

ELVI scheme also utilises comprehensive on-farm herd health systems, such as Naseva, performed by herd health veterinarians.

The WQ audit, combined with the national herd health systems, gives the farm a comprehensive overview of the welfare of its animals. Herd health systems alone are not sufficient to verify the actual state of animal welfare.

In addition to these systems, the ELVI label has additional requirements concerning animal husbandry. The label's own requirements ensure, among other things, that animals can move freely and have outdoor access, as well as consider groups of animals that would otherwise be disregarded. These include, for example, young stock on dairy farms.

The first phase of the ELVI label is targeted at dairy and beef farms. The ELVI criteria are ambitious to ensure that it makes a genuine contribution to the overall welfare of farm animals.

The requirements include:

  • Enhanced or excellent level on WelfareQuality audit.
  • Good healthcare results, verified by the ELVI expert veterinarian.
  • Access to free exercise and regular outdoor exercise, no tethering.
  • Better housing conditions for young stock.
  • For beef products a WelfareQuality-based audit of the slaughterhouse.
  • Regular product tracing.

Elvi-labelled products can be purchased in Lidl and Kesko stores and in some S-group markets. The label is used on Lidl's Ilona milk and yoghurt, Arla's Free and Grazing Cows and organic products and now also in Maitomaa milk and yoghurt.

 

Finwelfare Ltd manages Finland's first animal welfare label, ELVI. At the core of Finwelfare Ltd is a high level of scientific expertise in a wide range of farm animal species. Finwelfare Ltd's values include promoting sustainable consumption habits by helping consumers choose responsible products in the grocery store. Read more

WelfareQuality® is a scientifically validated method for measuring animal welfare. It has been developed in an extensive European-wide research project. WQ assesses animal welfare from the animals themselves, observing animal behaviour, health, nutritional status, and the suitability of housing conditions. WQ is the most credible and highest-quality welfare measure currently available. Finwelfare Ltd works closely with the WQ Committee and a member of the WQ Committee holds a seat on the board of Finwelfare Ltd.

The Welfare Quality® protocol is currently used to assess the welfare of cattle, pigs, and poultry, both in animal welfare research and for commercial use in the food market. WQ has also been used to derive welfare measurement methods for sheep and turkeys, among others. WelfareQuality is currently also applied in Finland to develop a protocol for assessing equine welfare.

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