Paraguay launches RETSA PY, a socio-environmental traceability system for meat and leather supported by the European Union

Paraguay’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) has officially launched the RETSA PY System (Registry of Establishments with Socio-Environmental Traceability), a tool for the socio-environmental traceability of meat and leather supported by AL-INVEST Verde, funded by the European Union, through the Polytechnic Faculty of the National University of Asunción (UNA).

During the launch, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Marco Riquelme, thanked the European Union for its cooperation and stated that the system “is now ready and currently registering production units.” Thanks to RETSA PY, he added, it will be possible to identify the origin of production “and ensure that the final consumer has confidence that international standards are being met.”

The European Union Ambassador, Katja Afheldt, stressed that the platform “is a clear sign of the willingness of the Paraguayan Government and its producers to position themselves as suppliers of premium products,” and congratulated the country “for its commitment and determination.”

The event brought together a strong representation from both the public and private sectors. In addition to the authorities already mentioned, attendees included Javier Giménez, Head of the Presidential Cabinet; Daniel Prieto, President of the Paraguayan Rural Association (ARP); Juan Carlos Pettengill, President of the Paraguayan Meat Chamber; Emilio Bedoya, President of the Paraguayan Leather Chamber; Francesca Lozio Salomoni, Executive Director of Guyra Paraguay; and Andrés Ginés, Coordinator of the MIC’s Socio-Environmental Traceability Unit.

How the RETSA PY System Works

Aimed at livestock farmers and meat and leather exporters, RETSA PY will help strengthen the competitiveness of key sectors of Paraguay’s economy, such as beef production, by incorporating traceability, transparency and sustainability tools.

Currently, around 200 producers — representing approximately 1.5 million head of cattle — are part of Paraguay’s Animal Traceability System (SITRAP). In addition, more than 4 million cattle have individual identification (around 30% of the national herd) through Paraguay’s Animal Identification System (SIAP), implemented by the National Animal Quality and Health Service (SENACSA).

From now on, through RETSA PY, producers can register their production units. These are analysed using tools provided by international institutions such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with information from national public institutions.

Based on this data, RETSA PY analyses the full supply chain and issues a traceability certificate verifying zero deforestation after 2020 through maps and satellite imagery, as well as compliance with applicable national legislation.

In this way, producers and exporters can demonstrate compliance with the environmental and legal requirements of European Regulation 1115/2023 (EUDR), which is scheduled to apply from 30 December 2026 for large companies and from 30 June 2027 for micro and small enterprises.

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 towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy.

Through Component 2, led by FIAP in consortium with IILA, the programme provides assistance to strengthen public policies and foster multi-stakeholder dialogue on sustainable agricultural and value chains, environmental and labour standards, as well as sustainable trade and economic policy and regulatory frameworks.