The awareness-raising campaign and registration of production units in the RETSA platform Paraguayan Meat was successfully developed at the national level, with the participation of nearly 200 livestock producers from different regions of the country. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC) in partnership with the Rural Association of Paraguay (ARP), was supported by the European Union through the AL-INVEST Verde programme, consolidating a model of public-private articulation aimed at strengthening socio-environmental traceability sector.

The campaign was structured in three stages. The launch took place at the ARP headquarters, marking the beginning of the process of socialisation of the system. Subsequently, workshops took place in the Central Chaco, in Filadelfia and Mariscal Estigarribia, where producers participated in technical workshops on the RETSA system and the context of the European Deforestation Free Regulation (EUDR). Finally, the campaign was extended to the eastern region with a day in Curuguaty, broadening the territorial scope of the initiative.

The process culminated on 11 May with a closing event at the ARP headquarters, which brought together producers, authorities and representatives of the sector. The event was attended by the substitute minister of the MIC, Vice-Minister of Industry Javier Viveros, together with other authorities from public institutions, representatives of the productive and academic sectors, as well as civil society organisations and the general public.

RETSA Meat is a key tool for integrating productive and socio-environmental traceability, facilitating compliance with international standards and access to high-value markets, The new European and international regulatory requirements are in line with new European and international requirements.

Registration makes it possible to identify the origin of production and, through RETSA PY, issue a traceability certificate that certifies both the absence of deforestation after 2020 and compliance with current national legislation. With this campaign, Paraguay is making progress in the consolidation of a more transparent and competitive livestock system that is aligned with the demands of the international market.

About AL-INVEST Verde

AL-INVEST Verde is a European Union (EU) programme whose main objective is to promote sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America by supporting the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy. Through Component 2, led by FIAP in consortium with IILA, the programme provides assistance for strengthening public policies and multi-stakeholder dialogues on sustainable agricultural and value chains, environmental and labour standards, as well as sustainable trade and economic policy and regulatory frameworks.