IRTA - Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries

IRTA - Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, is a research institute belonging to the Government of Catalonia, linked to the Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda and it is part of the CERCA center system in Catalonia. It is regulated by Law 04/2009, approved by the Catalan Parliament on April 15, 2009, and is governed by private regulations.

IRTA, one of the founders of the WELFARE QUALITY NETWORK, in collaboration with the Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario SA (NEIKER) developed the Certification Scheme in Bienestar Animal Welfair™, which it owns, based on the Welfare Quality protocols managed by Welfare Quality Network, on the AWIN® protocols managed by the AWIN® Network, and on the Welfare Quality Inspired protocols developed and managed by IRTA itself.