Erika Malandra It is not just a promise, but a concrete project that aims to change forever the way we think and buy. carne.
Sustainable meat in Italy takes shape: a unique system in Europe
Italy is at the forefront with an initiative that has no precedent in the Old Continent: the “Standard for livestock farming” is born carne planet".
A public, official certificate that guarantees the sustainability of Italian cattle farming. Soon, on the labels of veal, heifer and white veal, we will see the wording “Produced from sustainable farming”. It's not just marketing. It's the certification of a reality that farmers have known well for some time: our systems are already ahead of the rest of Europe.
The journey began in 2021, in Veneto, where breeders, institutions and consultants built a rigorous specification. A long process, made up of meetings, checks and discussions with Brussels, which led the European Commission to approve the document. The Ministry of Agriculture then adopted the system, and the decree will soon be official, giving the go-ahead to certifications on a national scale. Giuliano Marchesin, director of Italy Zootechnics, explains that this standard is just the beginning: the model will also be extended to other zootechnical sectors, such as pigs and dairy cows, to expand the area of certified sustainability.
A serious commitment that goes beyond the environment: sustainable meat in Italy under the magnifying glass
But what does it really mean sustainable meat in Italy? Not only attention to the environment, but also to animal welfare, safety and the economic balance of farms. The criteria are strict: at least 60% of the feed must come from Italy or Europe, and there is always a food technician behind it who checks everything. Animal welfare is measured with systems like Classyfarm, where at least 70% of the score must be reached, and biosecurity cannot fall below 55%. On the environmental side, careful management is mandatory: low-impact crops, rapid and responsible management of waste and continuous monitoring.
Alessandro De Rocco, president of Italia Zootecnica, has no doubts: "We want to demonstrate that Italian farms are better than others in Europe, not just in words, but with facts". And Franco Martini, president of the Consorzio Sigillo Italiano, adds that the "Sustainable Farms" brand, recognizable thanks to a green leaf on the packaging, will be the guarantee for consumers. It will be a widespread network, with rigorous controls throughout the country, and maximum transparency thanks to the publication of the specifications and control plans on the Ministry's website. In short, a sustainable meat in Italy that aims to gain trust and respect, from the stable to the refrigerator.