Fact-finding delegation explores certification standards on hygiene and sustainability while finding common ground in challenges facing the livestock sector
28 May, Madrid, Spain – GLOBAL S.L.P., custodian of the Integrated Farm Management (IFM) Standard for Livestock, hosted a high-level delegation from the Japan Livestock Industry Association (JLIA) this week, marking a significant step in cross-border knowledge exchange for sustainable farming practices.
Japanese retailers are demanding greater levels of transparency in the supply chain and the JLIA is researching the possibility of expanding the scope of its certification system, which is currently limited to the Farm HACCP (Hygienic Management of Livestock Farm) Certification.
The fact-finding visit included meetings with the GLOBAL S.L.P. management team as well as a tour of the modern facilities of Central de Carnes Premium – a GLOBAL S.L.P.-certified meat distributor in Madrid. This was followed by a trip to the largest beef feedlot and reproduction unit of IGP Carne de Ávila. “GLOBAL S.L.P. has developed comprehensive standards that go beyond JLIA’s current framework. We are keen to study their management and implementation processes as a reference for improving the Farm HACCP certification,” said JLIA senior adviser Yamamoto Yoichi, adding: “In particular the scope of the standards in terms of sustainability and logistics is innovative for us.”
Although 10,000km apart, the livestock industries of both countries share many of the same challenges, including labor and generational shifts, rising costs and market pressures, sustainability demands, and small-scale farm vulnerabilities for cattle breeders of specialist breeds such as Wagyu and Avileña-Negra Ibérica.
Left to right: Diego Salgado Müller, Managing Director of GLOBAL S.L.P.; Pablo Pérez Villamil, administrator, GLOBAL S.L.P.; Yutaka Ikeuchi, Investigator on Livestock Industry, Horai Corp.; Yamamoto Yoichi, senior adviser, Japan Livestock Industry Association.
The tour – Central de Carnes Premium
The international delegation was welcomed at the headquarters of Central de Carnes Premium, a GLOBAL S.L.P.-certified leading meat distributor that specialises in the highest-quality cuts sourced from trusted local farms and international producers. Its location in Mercamadrid, Spain’s largest wholesale food market, was the ideal setting for the delegation to see at first-hand how holistic certification standards are applied in practice.
Here, the delegation heard how Central de Carnes Premium came to be the first company in the world to be certified by GlobalG.A.P. and by its successor GLOBAL S.L.P., receiving permission to place the GSN label on its food products as a visible guarantee of consumer food safety and quality.
“At the time the beef sector was facing the same challenges as are being experienced today: cattle populations were decreasing while demand for quality raw products was increasing. This is why, in 2014, Grupo Norteños – the owner of Central de Carnes Premium – began looking at extending its quality management system,” explained Central de Carnes Premium managing director Constantino González. “After analysing the different standards worldwide, it settled on what is now GLOBAL S.L.P. due to the standard’s wide-ranging scope, which includes the certification of every step of the supply chain, and a global reach. The importance of this was highlighted during the COVID pandemic, when the sector had to adjust its export destinations and a globally accepted or recognized standard was needed,” he added.
The Japanese delegation also took in Central de Carnes Premium’s state-of-the-art fabrication room as well as the dry-aging facilities where top-quality beef from Spain is prepared for the local market and beyond.
The tour continued next day at the Regulatory Council of IGP Carne de Ávila (Protected Geographical Indication for Ávila Meat), where the Japanese delegation was hosted by technical director María Mar González Muñoz and secretary Pedro Herraiz Espinosa, who discussed the breed’s cultural significance in the context of sustainable practices and the livestock sector’s challenges.
The delegation heard about the work carried out by the Regulatory Council of IGP Carne de Ávila.
The Avileña-Negra Ibérica is a native Spanish cattle breed prized for its high-quality meat, which has been granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status under the name IGP Carne de Ávila. Distinguished by its hardy constitution and striking black coat, this breed thrives in high-altitude pastures and remains one of the few in the world still raised through traditional transhumance. Each year, herds are guided along ancient migratory routes across the rugged mountainous terrain of Ávila, Castile and León, and parts of Extremadura – a practice that preserves both the breed’s resilience and the region’s pastoral heritage.
The Japanese visitors learned how PGI certification ensures traceability and strict standards, including mandatory 5–6-month calf-mother bonding for natural weaning and welfare. They saw how DNA testing verifies parentage to maintain breed integrity across large ranches, supported by the Bovine Identification Document (DIB) which records birthdates, transfers, and weaning to guarantee compliance.
The visit to Ávila concluded with a tour of an extensive cattle farm where the cows are raised in a sustainable production model that harnesses the natural resources of the dehesa – a traditional Mediterranean forest ecosystem. Here, the herds roam freely, reflecting the farm’s commitment to ethical and environmentally conscious practices.
The delegation visited a traditional Spanish dehesa.
The communal feeding lot, certified under the GLOBAL S.L.P. IFM standard and overseen by the Regulatory Council of IGP Carne de Ávila, ensures high-quality rearing conditions. At this facility, young beef cattle from associated farmers are nurtured until they reach optimal maturity.
“It was an honor to host the JLIA delegation and share GLOBAL S.L.P.’s holistic approach to sustainability with such a prestigious association,” said Diego Salgado Müller, Managing Director of GLOBAL S.L.P.
About GLOBAL S.L.P.
GLOBAL S.L.P. is the governance body responsible for managing and advancing the Integrated Farm Management (IFM) Standard for Livestock originally established by GlobalG.A.P. in 2005 under the name Integrated Farm Assurance. Representing the collective interests of the global livestock supply chain, GLOBAL S.L.P. ensures the standard evolves to meet modern demands for sustainable production, animal welfare, and social responsibility. By upholding rigorous certification protocols, GLOBAL S.L.P. champions food safety, traceability, and transparency from farm to market, empowering producers, retailers, and consumers alike.
About the Japan Livestock Industry Association
The Japan Livestock Industry Association (JLIA) is a leading authority in promoting sustainable livestock farming, advancing farm management consulting, and fostering innovation in Japan’s livestock sector. Representing farmers and livestock organizations, JLIA ensures food safety, ethical production practices, and the global competitiveness of Japanese animal products, including the world-renowned Wagyu beef.
About Central de Carnes Premium
With over 40 years of expertise, Central de Carnes Premium specializes in the production, processing, and distribution of premium-quality meats. The company partners with the finest cattle breeds, overseeing a strictly controlled process from farm to market to guarantee exceptional cuts and preparations.
Committed to sustainability, Central de Carnes Premium actively promotes renewable energy adoption, emission reduction, and eco-friendly waste management, ensuring responsible production without compromising quality.
The company holds international IFS and BRC certifications, a testament to its cutting-edge facilities, rigorous quality controls and dedication to food safety. In 2014, Central de Carnes Premium became the world’s first company to be certified by GLOBALG.A.P. – and later by its successor, GLOBAL S.L.P. – authorizing the use of the GSN label on its products. This distinction serves as a visible guarantee of superior food safety and quality for consumers worldwide
About the Regulatory Council of IGP Carne de Ávila
The Consejo Regulador de la IGP Carne de Ávila is the official governing body responsible for safeguarding the quality, authenticity, and protected status of IGP Carne de Ávila beef. Established under European Union and Spanish agricultural regulations, the council ensures strict adherence to traditional production methods while promoting the unique value of this premium meat.
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José María Baron
Communications Officer
GLOBAL S.L.P.
[email protected]
www.globalslp.org
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