With animal welfare being a top priority in the sustainability policy of NPM portfolio company Hendrix Genetics, the company has been working for many years on developing a global Animal Welfare Program, which incorporates regular audits by certified auditors.
Hendrix already employs several certified auditors who are affiliated with the University of Bristol Poultry Welfare Certification Program, the Canadian Livestock Transportation Certification and the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO). The majority of these auditors (15 employees spread across North America and Europe) are certified through PAACO.
The latter promotes the humane treatment of animals through the use of education, auditor certification and the review and certification of audit instruments, assessments and programmes.
Hendrix Genetics has been actively involved in the program since the establishment of PAACO, including by providing instructors for various training events and supporting prospective auditors (who are employed by customers, adjacent industries or government agencies) in achieving certification by conducting shadow audits and providing assistance throughout the audit process.
First auditors
Two employees of Hendrix Genetics – one based in France and one in Poland – were recently appointed PAACO Certified Poultry Welfare Auditors, making them the first – and, for now, only – animal welfare auditors for poultry in these countries.
Read more about smarter animal-welfare metrics
