The Commercial Livestock Program of the Turipaná Research Center receives the distinction of the Colombian Environmental Seal granted by the Ministry of Environment

• The commercial bovine cattle herd of the Turipaná Research Center obtained the Colombian Environmental Seal and is among the country's first ten farms certified in Sustainable Livestock.
• This Seal promotes best practices in Colombian livestock to strengthen environmental management.
• Turipaná is a pioneer in these types of systems and production models.
• This recognition allows access to new meat and milk markets, thus, guaranteeing organic, clean, ecological, and green production in the livestock production systems of Colombia.
• "This herd has become a benchmark for other organizations, demonstrating that it is possible to combine commercial production with care for the natural environment": Elkin Negrete.

 

Montería, Córdoba. July 19, 2023. The Commercial Livestock Program of the Turipaná Research Center of Corporación colombiana de investigación agropecuaria - AGROSAVIA obtained the Colombian Environmental Seal in the Bovine and Buffalo Sustainable Livestock Category, granted by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, with the NTC 6550 standard by ICONTEC together with Minerva Foods and Federación Colombiana de Ganaderos FEDEGAN. This distinction was given to the first ten farms certified in Sustainable Livestock in the country during the XXIV AGROEXPO 2023 edition that is taking place in Corferias in the country's Capital.

The ministry created the Colombian Environmental Seal – SAC (for its acronym in Spanish) within the framework of the National Strategic Plan for Green Markets and regulated its use through Resolution 1555 of 2005, issued jointly with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism. The Seal is a highly valued distinction in the country, and obtaining it certifies the Research Center and AGROSAVIA's commitment to conserving natural resources and developing livestock under a sustainable production model.

According to the Ministry of Environment, "this Seal promotes better practices in Colombian livestock farming to strengthen environmental management, the protection of human health, animal welfare, and respect and care for farm workers. With the Seal, a recognition by national and international consumers is also expected, strengthening the position of the sector and benefitting producers."

The Director of the Turipaná Research Center, Sergio Luis Mejía Kerguelen, mentioned that to obtain this distinction, "the herd had to meet a series of rigorous requirements established by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, and demonstrate that actions have been carried out to guarantee the efficient use of natural resources, such as water and energy and that its operation is based on proper waste management to minimize environmental impact." In addition, other criteria were met, such as: the conservation of forests and different ecosystems; biodiversity conservation; a reforestation and conservation plan; the use of organic waste; vaccination, drug management, agricultural inputs, and pesticides and herbicides plans.

Jorge Armando Mejía Lúquez, a Research Support Professional at Turipaná, explained, "Turipaná is a pioneer in these types of systems and production models. These sustainable practices mitigate and reduce the number of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, allowing the production to be increasingly friendly to the environment and highly productive, improving the well-being of humanity."

Elkin Negrete Camargo, a Business Development Professional at the Turipaná Research Center, commented that "this certification is the label that will lead us to access new meat and milk markets with added value, thus, guaranteeing organic, clean, and green production in the livestock production systems of Colombia." This recognition is a significant achievement for Turipaná "because it reinforces our position as a leader in sustainable practices in the agricultural sector. This herd has become a benchmark for other organizations, demonstrating that it is possible to combine commercial production with care for the natural environment, in addition to being among the first ten certified sustainable livestock farms in Colombia", added Engineer Negrete.

The Colombian Environmental Seal certification highlights the efforts and achievements of the Center's Commercial Livestock Program and gives consumers the confidence to choose products from a company committed to environmental responsibility.