The draft resolution is in public consultation until January 2, 2023
Bogota, December 6, 2022 (@Minagricultura). The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) published for general public consultation the draft resolution that establishes the sanitary, animal welfare and safety requirements for the certification of live cattle and buffalo export establishments.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cecilia López Montaño, ratified her commitment to animal welfare and invited Colombians to contribute to the construction of this standard with their comments on the resolution. “With this resolution we are guaranteeing the best health and welfare conditions for the animals we export without affecting production or international trade,” she stated.
In order for producers to obtain certification, compliance with the following requirements will be verified during a technical visit
- – Have a health plan issued and formed by a veterinarian or zootechnician that contains vaccination plans, animal handling procedures and parasite control process, among others
- – The properties must be located in an area free of foot-and-mouth disease with or without vaccination.
- – Have an isolation area duly identified for the separation of sick animals on the premises.
- – Have pre-shipment waiting pens with enough space for food, water and rest, according to the animals to be exported
- – Prior to shipment, the minimum time of the animals in pens must be documented for verification of the ICA. It will be 14 calendar days before export or 30 days, when it is required to carry out diagnostic test processes.
- – During transport, animals must be able to lie down, turn, walk and have free access to water and feed.
- – In the transport of animals, a sufficient number of feeders must be ensured, according to the stage of production
- – Have enough space to meet the needs of comfort and food in the means of transport.
- – Balanced foods or food and mineral supplements containing flour, blood and steamed bone should not be used.
- – Have a management report related to animal welfare
- – Have technical assistance from a veterinarian or zootechnician with current professional registration.
In the following link you can find the other requirements and provisions that are available for public comments.
https://www.sucop.gov.co/entidades/ica/normativa?IDNorma=12235
Comments can be made right there until January 2, 2023, through the Single Public Consultation System (SUCOP).
It is worth remembering that the Ministry of Agriculture, through the ICA, has implemented other measures to guarantee the safety and welfare of animals. Some strategies implemented are the mandatory assistance of the veterinarian or zootechnician, design of a methodology to assess animal welfare at various points in the process, final maritime report validated by the accompanying veterinarian and the captain of the motor ship, among other issues.
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