The livestock industry and meat production play a crucial role in global food supply. In this context, animal feedlot facilities serve an essential function in meeting the growing demand for animal protein.
However, it is imperative to recognize that this process can impact various aspects, including animal welfare, the environment, worker health and safety, input quality, and compliance with national laws. Certification under an animal welfare and good feedlot management program is essential for addressing these challenges comprehensively and sustainably while promoting continuous improvement.
- Animal Welfare: In line with society's ethical expectations, animal welfare certification ensures respectful treatment of animals in the feedlot. In addition to meeting these ethical demands, implementing animal welfare practices can improve animal health and performance. Creating optimal conditions for animals can increase feed conversion efficiency, reduce costs, achieve greater weight gains, and improve economic margins without significant investments, simply through effective management.
- Environment: Animal production has a significant environmental impact. Certification in good management practices focuses on adopting sustainable practices that make responsible use of natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and manage waste properly. This not only benefits the environment but can also enhance operational efficiency and reduce long-term costs.
- Worker Health and Safety: Feedlots are workplace environments with potential risks to the health and safety of workers. A certification program focused on this area ensures the implementation of safety protocols and adequate training, protecting not only the workers but also contributing to a more reliable and worker-friendly work environment.
- Input Quality: Certification focuses on ensuring the quality of inputs used in the feedlot, such as feed and medications. This ensures that animals receive proper nutrition and that final products are safe and of high quality for human consumption.
- Compliance with National Laws: Feedlots must comply with national regulations and laws, and certification aims to keep the focus on legal frameworks and avoid penalties by demonstrating compliance.
- Focus on Continuous Improvement: A crucial aspect of this certification program is its emphasis on continuous improvement. This encourages adaptation to new technologies and best practices as production evolves. In many cases, some facilities already implement certain practices that align with the presented best practices in the standard. Formal certification promotes constant monitoring and distinguishes those who achieve it.
Establishments involved in the program will also enhance their position in the market as suppliers of raw materials and services, such as those offering hospitality services.
