Relationship between animal welfare, public health, and the veterinarian in broiler chicken primary production

This review evaluates the Diploma Program in Animal Welfare Management ISO 34700, developed by Fundación Universitaria Agraria de Colombia in partnership with FSTeam. Its purpose was to strengthen professional competencies in animal welfare through conceptual and regulatory tools applied in internal audits based on the international ISO 34700 standard and the WELFCERT model. The text highlights the importance of animal welfare and its close relationship with veterinary public health and food safety, with an emphasis on primary broiler production. From the One Health approach, animal welfare is recognized not only as a component of sustainable production and professional ethics, but also as a contributor to production efficiency, health security, and food security by reducing disease, antimicrobial use, and economic losses associated with slaughter or condemnation (1). Poultry production, which in 2020 accounted for 40% of global meat production (2) and in 2023 exceeded 103 million tons (3), faces health and sustainability challenges that must be addressed through improved animal welfare at all stages of production. The diploma program demonstrated that variables such as feeding, infrastructure, foot health, plumage condition, and behavior are key welfare indicators and determinants of the quality and safety of the final product. Therefore, it is concluded that this program trains internal auditors capable of assessing and ensuring compliance with production standards, providing conceptual and practical tools for the implementation of sustainable animal welfare plans.