Colombia's bovine traceability audit exposes gaps jeopardising meat exports

The Comptroller's Office concluded an audit of the animal movement guides, a critical component of Colombia's bovine traceability system, finding multiple disciplinary and penal infractions at the ICA. Weak controls enable illegal activities such as animal smuggling, theft, clandestine slaughter and evasion of slaughter taxes, costing the National Livestock Fund over 80 billion Colombian pesos annually.

A concurrent audit by Chinese customs officials inspected the INVIMA, ICA and slaughter facilities, identifying a lag in Colombia's traceability standards compared with Chinese market requirements. The findings threaten a decade‑long negotiation to maintain beef exports to China, which is Colombia's primary destination with an expected 18,700 tonnes in 2025. The first traceability law was enacted in 2004, the SINIGÁN system launched in 2009, but progress stalled after 2012 when the government revoked FEDEGÁN's management of the guides.

Officials call for urgent reforms to ensure food safety, prevent illicit practices and meet international market demands.