Measuring Sustainability in Italian Farms

National Livestock Quality System (SQNZ): How Sustainability Is Measured in Italian Farms

Sustainability has become a central theme in Italian livestock farming. Emission reduction, animal welfare, food safety, and traceability are no longer just aspirational goals—they are increasingly demanded by the market, large-scale retail, and consumers.

In this context, the National Livestock Quality System (SQNZ) has emerged as a structured model for measuring, verifying, and communicating farm sustainability across the agri-food supply chain.

What Is the National Livestock Quality System

The SQNZ is a voluntary scheme established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF), designed to promote livestock production that meets higher standards than those set by basic regulations.

The system is based on sector-specific supply chain standards and includes independent, accredited third-party inspections.

Currently, the SQNZ is active in the beef, pork, and poultry supply chains. New standards for other livestock sectors are under development, with the goal of progressively extending the model to the entire industry.

The Requirements That Define a Sustainable Farm

At the core of the SQNZ are the enhancement requirements, divided into mandatory and optional, which determine the farm’s level of compliance.

Key mandatory requirements include:

• Feed and water management, with hygiene controls and targeted nutritional protocols
• Animal welfare, assessed using official systems such as ClassyFarm
• Biosecurity, through prevention plans and biological risk management
• Environmental management, with emission monitoring and tools for defining improvement plans
• Staff training on animal welfare, biosecurity, and sustainability

These are complemented by optional criteria such as the use of renewable energy or the digitalisation of controls, enabling farms to pursue sustainable innovation pathways.

A Model Adaptable to Different Livestock Sectors

The SQNZ is not a rigid system but a flexible framework designed to adapt to the specific features of each sector.

• In the pork supply chain, the focus is on waste management and emission reduction
• In the beef sector, emphasis is placed on traceability and environmental footprint
• In poultry, attention is given to biosecurity, microclimate, and environmental control

This approach allows for the application of common sustainability criteria while maintaining strong coherence with different production realities.

Certification, Data, and Continuous Improvement

Joining the SQNZ requires the implementation of a documented management system, including periodic audits, structured data collection, and corrective actions in case of non-conformities.

Each compliant batch is accompanied by a sustainability declaration, ensuring traceability and transparency across the entire supply chain.

The availability of objective data allows companies to monitor their performance and develop measurable improvement strategies over time.

Pegaso Management’s Contribution to the SQNZ Process

As part of the Tentamus Group, Pegaso Management supports livestock companies in applying the National Livestock Quality System standards, assisting them in interpreting requirements, managing technical aspects, and delivering training.

Its integrated approach, combining management, analytical, and training expertise, enables the development of sustainability pathways based on verifiable data and aligned with the needs of the agri-food supply chain. These services are complemented by the analytical testing offered by the Group to its clients.