The National Zootechnical Quality System
SQNZ
To guarantee certified and excellent beef, we have promoted and developed the National Zootechnical Quality System (SQNZ-Sistema di Qualità Nazionale Zootecnia): a quality scheme recognised by the European Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture that certifies our meat, guaranteeing its complete traceability and compliance with high European standards.
The SQNZ is the culmination of a journey of responsibility, commitment and love for quality products. A goal that we have decided to overcome by creating binding rules for the breeding of our cattle: the disciplinary “grain-fed Vitellone and Scottona” and “Piedmontese Fassone Beef”.
By adhering to the National Zootechnical Quality System and the production regulations that are part of it, we are committed to applying precise standards designed to offer you a healthy, tasty and safe product.
The disciplinary rules for grain-fed vitellone and scottona
Vitellone and Scottona are respectively male and female cattle under 24 months of age. Among the breeds that make up the livestock heritage of our farms, many derive from a centuries-old collaboration with France. Careful genetic selection carried out over time, in fact, has given rise to the Charolaise, Limousine, Garonnese, Blonde d ‘Aquitaine breeds and French crossbreeds that provide valuable cattle to become Vitellone (steer) and Scottona (heifer) to be raised on grains”.
A dedicated Production Specification applies to these breeds and crossbreeds, which is part of the National Zootechnical Quality System.
Each stage of breeding is taken care of in detail, starting with the nutrition of the animals, which follow a 100% vegetable diet mainly based on grains, have climate-controlled and comfortable protected stables available and are subjected to periodic veterinary checks.
The fassone of piedmontese breed guideline
The Fassone of Piedmontese Breed is an autochthonous bovine breed, which has developed its own genealogy in Piedmont and is characterised by a marked muscle development, compared to a considerable bone finesse. The cattle of the Italian Seal consortium members are bred according to the dedicated Production Regulations, which are part of the National Zootechnical Quality System.
The breeding practices are the subject of particular care, which include an ad hoc and 100% plant-based diet, air-conditioned and comfortable protected stables as well as periodic veterinary checks.
The “sustainable farming” guideline
We have chosen to commit ourselves every day to raise our standards.
The goal is to align our production techniques with the European Farm to Fork strategy, bringing us ever closer to the goal of sustainable food production.
This is why we drew up the ‘Standards for Sustainable Meat Husbandry’, better known as the ‘Sustainable Livestock Regulation’, a valuable tool that, after being recognised by the European Commission, became part of the SQNZ recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Regulation is applied on a voluntary basis and provides useful guidelines to take care of our cattle following the criteria of good breeding practices and allowing us to carry out our activity in accordance with the principles of environmental, social and economic sustainability.
As part of our efforts to raise our sustainability standards, the regulatory framework also stipulates: that every activity may be subject to an environmental impact assessment (LCA); that water and energy consumption of the companies should be monitored and environmental mitigation actions, such as the responsible management of livestock waste through its valorisation in agriculture (Organic fertilisation).
Each of these forecasts aims to increase the levels of sustainability of our supply chain, providing the information necessary to define specific refinement actions.
To communicate our commitment to the production of meat that respects these principles, we have also created a useful symbol to recognise them. It is a small green leaf, with the inscription “Sustainable Livestock” inside, positioned at the base of the umbrella brand of the Italian Seal Consortium.
