Colombia strengthens animal welfare certification and control for livestock production

This includes cattle, buffalo, horses, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry (broilers, layers, breeders), other birds (geese, ducks, turkeys, quails, ostriches), aquatic animals, rabbits, guinea pigs, and bees (Apis mellifera).

According to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) resolutions, the principles of Animal Welfare are:

• Animal welfare for each species can be precisely and scientifically defined.
• Provide welfare conditions to animals in different production systems, including improvements in housing, nutrition, treatment, and disease prevention; as well as minimizing pain, stress, and suffering.
• The management of production species in the agricultural sector should promote a positive relationship between humans and animals.

According to the provisions of the aforementioned resolutions, the MADR delegated the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) the task of establishing methodologies to evaluate animal welfare conditions, based on principles of repeatability and ease, with measurable indicators for all the aforementioned species. In addition, the ICA will assume the functions of inspection, surveillance, and control to ensure compliance with sanitary, animal welfare, and safety requirements.