SQNZ, the certification of sustainable farms in Italy

The main goal of this system is to recognize and enhance productions that guarantee quality, health and environmental standards significantly higher than the practices in use. Thus offering producers, large-scale distribution and HoReCa a tool for  differentiation on the market, which consumers can appreciate as it is based on objective requirements, subjected to certification verification.

SQNZ, the regulatory framework

The MASAF decree of December 16, 2022 formally establishes the SQNZ system and defines its operation. The provision incorporates the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2022/126, harmonizing the national legislation with the community framework.

The decree is accompanied by a technical annex that provides the  guidelines for drafting production disciplinary standards pertaining to the SQNZ system. These guidelines define the minimum criteria, mandatory requirements, and control methods that the regulations must comply with to obtain ministerial recognition.

The regulatory framework is completed with the BCAA criteria (Good Agronomic and Environmental Conditions) provided for by Regulation (EU) 2022/126, which constitute an essential element for the use of the wording ‘produced by sustainable farming‘ in commercial information.

Quality requirements and criteria

Access to the SQNZ system is subject to compliance with production regulations authorized and recognized by MASAF. Essentially, these regulations must:

• specify the technical and qualitative characteristics of breeding methods, zootechnical practices, facility requirements, production methods, traceability systems, and control protocols applicable throughout the entire production chain;

• guarantee a quality of the final product significantly higher than current commercial standards in terms of public health, animal health,  animal welfare e environmental protection;

• verify compliance with conditionality requirements established at the European level regarding good agronomic and environmental conditions (BCAA).

Labelling and communication

Compliance with the SQNZ system can be enhanced inlabeling e advertising of products derived from certified supply chains. The decree establishes some mandatory information complementary information that must appear on the label, such as:

• the product name provided for by the SQNZ production regulations;

• the wording ‘National zootechnical quality system (or the acronym SQNZ) recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (or acronym Masaf)‘;

• The  Country of origin and breeding of the animals, if not already provided for by specific legislation.

These prescriptions respond to the need to provide the consumer with clear and verifiable elements on the origin and qualitative characteristics of the product.

System governance

The Italian Ministry of Agriculture (MASAF) performs functions of  competent authority for the recognition of production regulations and the keeping of the official list of regulations and producers adhering to the SQNZ system. The ministry relies on a Technical Commission (SQNZ Commission) with tasks of evaluating the regulations in compliance with EU and national legislation.

The establishment of a Promotion consortium and enhancement of SQNZ products – with consultative purposes, technical assistance, and market surveillance, as well as promotional activities – in which individual and associated operators will participate. A subsequent MASAF decree will define its governance, duties, and operating procedures.

The system foresees transitional measures to allow the adaptation of existing production regulations to new provisions, thus ensuring operational continuity to operators already active in the zootechnical quality certification sector.

The Italian Seal Consortium

MASAF had already recognized the  Italian Seal Consortium as a promotion and protection body for certified zootechnical products, in application of the previous national zootechnical quality system (Ministerial Decree March 4, 2011; Ministerial Decree February 28, 2018 No. 828).

The Italian Seal Consortium constitutes an organizational model for the collective management of the interests of producers adhering to the system, with functions of representation, technical assistance, and supervision of the correct use of quality marks. The ministerial recognition granted the Consortium institutional legitimacy in dealings with authorities and certification bodies.

Although the 2022 decree provides for the establishment of a new SQNZ Promotion and Enhancement Consortium, the previous recognition of the Italian Seal Consortium represents an important precedent in the structuring of consortium tools supporting zootechnical quality systems in Italy.

Recognized production disciplinary standards

Masaf has progressively recognized a series of production specifications related to the SQNZ system, covering various livestock supply chains and production models. Among the first approved specifications are:

• ‘Yearling bull and/or Heifer fed with cereals‘ (directorate decree 16 October 2015 no. 69728);

• ‘Fassone of Piedmontese breed‘ (directorate decree 22 November 2016 no. 86900);

• ‘Egg + quality fed with cereals‘ (ministerial decree 5 December 2017 no. 87974);

• ‘Podolic cattle on pasture‘ (ministerial decree 22 January 2018 no. 4230);

• ‘Sustainable aquaculture‘ (ministerial decree 4 February 2020 no. 7630).

Of particular strategic importance is the specification ‘Standard: Sustainable meat livestock farming applicable to breeding for beef production‘ (directorate decree 24 June 2024 no. 280632, amended by directorate decree 17 June 2025 no. 273030). This specification introduces a series of criteria on sustainable feeding, animal welfare, biosecurity, responsible drug use, and reduction of environmental impact.

During 2024, the system was also extended to some regional specifications, promoted by Veneto Region and nationally recognized:

• ‘Calf fed with milk and cereals‘ (directorate decree 3 April 2024 no. 152849);

• ‘Raw cow's milk and derivatives‘ (directorate decree 3 April 2024 no. 152845).

Technical contents of the disciplinary standards

The SQNZ specifications have different structures and technical contents depending on the specificities of the regulated supply chains. All the specifications define requirements related to animal feeding, animal welfare, farming practices, traceability, controls, and labeling methods. Some examples follow:

• the specification ‘Yearling bull and/or heifer fed with cereals‘ specifies the criteria for cereal-based feeding, growth methods, and age and weight requirements at slaughter. The specification ‘Fassone of Piedmontese breed‘ identifies specific breed requirements, genetic selection techniques, and individual animal identification systems;

• the specification ‘Sustainable aquaculture‘ introduces environmental sustainability criteria for facilities, water quality, stocking density, feeding with certified feeds, and health protocols;

• the specification ‘Standard: Sustainable meat livestock farming‘ requires the adoption of animal welfare assessment systems (Classyfarm. Ministry of Health, 2023), manure management, monitoring the use of veterinary drugs through the VETINFO system, and certified sustainable feeding.

Each specification is accompanied by a  control plan, adopted by a specific ministerial decree, which defines the operational methods of inspections, the frequency of controls, non-conformities, and related sanctions.

Recognition applications under evaluation

Alongside the already recognized specifications, MASAF is currently evaluating several recognition requests submitted by production bodies, regions, and consortia. These requests are in different phases of the procedural process established by the founding decree of the SQNZ system. Among the submitted requests are the specifications:

• ‘High Quality Buffalo Meat‘, aimed at enhancing buffalo meat production according to quality and sustainability parameters specific to the buffalo species;

• ‘Valdostana Meat‘, promoted by the Aosta Valley Region to certify productions from the Valdostana cattle breed, typical of the Alpine area, according to territorial typicality criteria and traditional breeding methods;
• ‘High Quality Honey’;
• ‘Young Bull and Heifer Raised at High Altitude‘.

The recognition process includes a technical evaluation by the SQNZ Commission, verification of compliance with ministerial guidelines, a possible public consultation phase, and the adoption of the recognition directive decree. Once approved, these specifications will further expand the scope of application of the SQNZ system, responding to the enhancement needs of  productive sectors not currently covered by existing regulations.

Enhancement in public contracts

An important provision of the SQNZ system concerns the use of certified products in public collective catering. Products obtained in compliance with the system, as ‘quality products’, may constitute a preferential title in the awarding of supplies intended for collective catering.

Preference in public tenders promotes the integration of quality and sustainability criteria in the procurement policies of public administrations, in line with the European objectives of Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP).

Perspectives and future developments

The SQNZ system fits within the framework of European and national policies aimed at promoting sustainable livestock production models, capable of combining economic competitiveness, environmental protection, and animal welfare. The implementation of the system will depend on the sector's ability to develop effective technical specifications and on market response to the demand for certified products.

Future regulatory evolution will have to address issues such as integration with other certification systems (organic, PDO/PGI, animal welfare), harmonization of controls along the supply chain, development of digital traceability systems, and promotion of  system awareness among consumers.

The success of the SQNZ model will require a coordinated commitment among institutions, certification bodies, producer organizations, and distribution operators, to build credible and competitive certified supply chains in the national and international markets.

Dario Dongo

Credit cover Anaborapi 

Bibliography

Italian legislation – Establishment of the SQNZ system

• MASAF Decree 16 December 2022 No. 646632, Establishment of the National Livestock Quality System.  Official Gazette of the Italian Republic, General Series No. 37 of 13 February 2023. https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2023/02/13/23A00860/sg

• Directorate Decree 4 October 2023 No. 547382 and subsequent amendments. Appointment of the representatives of the Commission of the National Livestock Quality System (SQNZ). Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests. National legislation – Italian Seal Consortium

Ministerial Decree 28 February 2018 No. 828. Recognition of the Consortium ‘Consorzio Sigillo Italiano’. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry.

• Ministerial Decree 28 February 2018 n. 828. Recognition of the Consortium 'Consorzio Sigillo Italiano'. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. National legislation – Recognized specifications (beef)

Directorate Decree 16 October 2015 No. 69728, Recognition of the production specification ‘Vitellone and/or Scottona fed with cereals’. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry.

• Directorial Decree 16 October 2015 n. 69728, Recognition of the production specification 'Vitellone and/or Scottona with cereals'. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. Directorate Decree 22 November 2016 No. 86900, Recognition of the production specification ‘Fassone of Piedmontese Breed’. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry.

• Directorial Decree 22 November 2016 n. 86900, Recognition of the production specification 'Fassone di Razza Piemontese'. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. Directorate Decree 22 January 2018 No. 4230, Recognition of the Production Specification ‘Podolian grazing cattle’. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry.

• Directorial Decree 22 January 2018 n. 4230, Recognition of the Production Specification 'Podolic cattle on pasture'. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. Directorate Decree 24 June 2024 No. 280632, Recognition of the standard sustainable meat production specification ‘Standard: Sustainable meat livestock farming applicable to cattle farming’. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry.

• Directorial Decree 24 June 2024 n. 280632, Recognition of the standard specification for sustainable meat production 'Standard: Sustainable meat husbandry applicable to breeding for the production of beef'. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. Directorate Decree 17 June 2025 No. 273030, Amendment of Directorate Decree No. 280632 of 24 June 2024 recognizing the specification ‘Standard: Sustainable meat livestock farming applicable to cattle farming’. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry.

• Directorial Decree 17 June 2025 n. 273030, Amendment of directorial decree no. 280632 of 24 June 2024 recognizing the specification 'Standard: Sustainable meat husbandry applicable to breeding for the production of beef'. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. https://www.masaf.gov.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeAttachment.php/L/IT/D/1%252Fa%252Fe%252FD.3f4def87e4598b5054dd/P/BLOB%3AID%3D10952/E/pdf

National legislation – Recognized specifications (other sectors)

• Directorate Decree 5 December 2017 n. 87974, Recognition of the Production Specification ‘Egg + quality with cereals’. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. https://www.masaf.gov.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeAttachment.php/L/IT/D/c%252F9%252Fe%252FD.98ac3e4c92d6addb9fc3/P/BLOB%3AID%3D10952/E/pdf

• Directorate Decree 4 February 2020 n. 7630, Recognition of the Production Specification ‘Sustainable Aquaculture’. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. https://www.masaf.gov.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeAttachment.php/L/IT/D/5%252F6%252Fc%252FD.4a869a96f437e8522e36/P/BLOB%3AID%3D10952/E/pdf

• Directorate Decree 3 April 2024 n. 152849, Recognition of the specification ‘Milk-fed veal and cereals’. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. https://www.masaf.gov.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeAttachment.php/L/IT/D/1%252Fc%252Fb%252FD.6433db4fd8db720daba7/P/BLOB%3AID%3D10952/E/pdf

• Directorate Decree 3 April 2024 n. 152845, Recognition of the specification ‘Raw cow’s milk and derivatives’. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry. https://www.masaf.gov.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeAttachment.php/L/IT/D/1%252F1%252F4%252FD.f599280ce8632e32f068/P/BLOB%3AID%3D10952/E/pdf

National legislation – animal welfare

• Ministry of Health. (2023). ClassyFarm: System for the risk categorization of farms in the field of veterinary public health. https://www.classyfarm.it/

Recognition applications under evaluation

• Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Submitted recognition applications – National Quality System for livestock. https://www.masaf.gov.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/10953

Relevant European legislation

• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/126 of 7 December 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council with additional requirements for certain types of intervention specified by Member States in their CAP Strategic Plans for the period 2023 to 2027 under that Regulation as well as rules on the ratio for the good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC) standard 1. Consolidated text: 13/06/2025 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2022/126/2025-06-13