HoCotec+ Sustainable pig production on a high state-of-the-art farm Colombia used to be a net exporter of pork until 2007, when political reasons led to an abrupt closure of its main (almost captive) market: Venezuela. Local pig farmers had become too accommodated, resulting in technologic stagnation and reduction of competitiveness. Other international markets therefore were no alternative to Venezuela, and the sector suffered a strong decline. Today domestic production does not even cover the local demand and Colombia became a net importer of pork.Wilschip Holding B.V. from Bladel, the Netherlands and Porcicola Santa Cruz S.A. from Bogotá, Colombia, now intend to form a joint venture, to establish a state-of-the-art, 200 sows, pig farm in the outskirts of Bogotá. It will be the first sustainable, 'green' pig farm, and they will implement advanced technology, meeting all the latest guidelines regarding animal and human welfare, farm hygiene, food safety and environmental protection.In addition, a training centre will be established for in depth knowledge transfer to members of the National Association of Colombian Pig Producers, and students from the two National Universities. This will be completely new for Colombia, and should result in a significant improvement of productivity and animal welfare for the whole sector.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)One of the main aspects of importance is animal (and human) welfare. The project will work conform GlobalGAP, HACCP and GMP+ and will obtain certificates. The joint venture will work according to EU guidelines for equipment, stables, and manure treatment and disposal. It will integrate guidelines for reducing antibiotics, food safety/hygiene, work/working conditions and animal health. It also respects the 5 animal rights of EU legislation and the Dutch regulations on "Maatlat Duurzame Veehouderij".Impact•	Employment and working conditionsEmployees earn salaries which are at least 5% above minimum wages. Fringe benefits include clothing, foot wear, housing (if necessary), dust free working areas, ear protection, pensions, health insurance, allowances for transport and lunch and are reflected in the employment contract or HRM policy.•	Innovation/Transfer of knowledgeA training centre for applied knowledge transfer will be established and is innovative for the sector. The branch organisation confirmed that this would be an important contribution for the sector.Furthermore, the 'green' pig breeding is also new for Colombia. Though no specific definition of green breeding exists, for the joint venture this will include responsible breeding which goes beyond the European regulations. It is based on an closed breeding farm system (in terms of water and manure recycling), animal welfare (needle less injections, larger moving space, improved food, minimisation of antibiotics, drink water treatment, transport (larger space, water availability, lift), automatic feeding which reduces stress, use of plastic drivers instead of electric shocks to replace animals, playing toys, improved hygiene (different clothing per stable, improved watering system), castration under anaesthetics, etc) and individual animal identification. The joint venture will assure most of these practises via GlobalGAP certification.•	Chain effects- The joint venture will work with 5 outgrowers which will produce pigs. Furthermore, it will receive feed inputs from arable farmers, feed mills and concentrate suppliers. Veterinarians will be involved in case of illness of pigs.- Pork feed is sourced from a company which sources raw materials locally.- Certification bodies, accountants, transport agencies for feed will profit from the project as well.- A training school will be set up to support pork farmers in the region to improve efficiency.- A lease system will be set up for pork farmers to buy innovative equipment.- Improved feed, hygiene and animal welfare will lead to better quality meat.•	Impact on the sectorIn the training centre, the project will work with universities. Universities will approve the training programmes. The joint venture will make access to manuals available for students. Also, the partners will work with the ACP (National Pig Farmers Association) gain market knowledge and share best practises. Also, seminars will be open to a large range of non-commercial stakeholders.•	EnvironmentThe project will meet all standards for manure treatment, waste disposal, water treatment and reduction of smell and gas emissions. It implements animal welfare standards and will use Good Farming plus play toys for pigs, anaesthetics for castration piglets, group keeping of sows, housing for piglets and pigs conform, all conform EU regulations. A seminar on water and energy saving will be held and improvements as alternatives for antibiotics, improvement of intestine culture, less feed per kg meat, feed with less phosphor, will be implemented.•	Impact on food safetyThe project will have positive effect on food safety.•	Impact on waterWater will be treated. Setting up a model pig production farm and training centre