AGROSAVIA to be nominated as Colombia's representative to the Biological Standards Commission of the WOAH

• The Corporation will be nominated as a Collaborating Centre for Animal Welfare and Sustainable Livestock Systems of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Bogotá, Capital District. July 9, 2025. We are pleased to announce that the Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research (AGROSAVIA) has been selected to be nominated as Colombia’s representative to the Biological Standards Commission of the WOAH, as a Collaborating Centre for Animal Welfare and Sustainable Livestock Systems of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

This important nomination follows a rigorous evaluation process led by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), which involved an evaluation committee composed of three expert reviewers (one internal and two external), all highly qualified professionals with no conflicts of interest, ensuring total transparency and impartiality in the selection.

Each application reflected a high technical level, institutional commitment, and a clear vocation for animal welfare. The ICA expressed its appreciation to all participating institutions, whose efforts highlight the scientific and human quality present in our country.

AGROSAVIA was unanimously selected as the entity with the highest score, standing out for its scientific leadership, expertise in animal welfare, and commitment to sustainability in livestock production systems. This endorsement marks a significant step toward strengthening Colombia’s position in international forums on animal welfare and sustainable livestock practices.

The WOAH, formerly known as the World Organisation for Epizootics (OIE), is the global authority on animal health and coordinates international efforts to improve and raise awareness of animal welfare in member countries, promoting a more sustainable world with better animal welfare standards.

In the statement issued by the ICA regarding this nomination, it is important to emphasize that this achievement should not be seen as individual recognition, but rather as a national mission. For this reason, academic institutions, industry associations, and research entities are invited to build alliances, promote joint efforts, and reflect, on the international stage, Colombia’s commitment to animal welfare and agricultural sustainability.

"At AGROSAVIA, and once we are confirmed by the WOAH Biological Standards Commission as a Collaborating Centre for Animal Welfare and Sustainable Livestock Systems, we will take on this new challenge with diligence and responsibility, promoting collaborative work with all Colombian institutions that have been driving and addressing issues of sustainability and animal welfare, in order to improve these aspects across the diverse realities present in livestock production systems in both Colombia and Latin America”, stated Fredy Enrique García Castro, Ph.D., associate researcher at AGROSAVIA and lead proponent of the Corporation’s nomination.