PRESS RELEASE FROM SWEDISH SIGILL:
Swedish Sigill Climate-certified quail is the Swedish winner in the category of Nordic food producer and advances to the Nordic final of the Embla Nordic Food Awards. CEO Per-Olof Ingemarsson receives the nomination because with great perseverance and consistency he has kept to and developed his concept. He has shown that it is possible to combine high demands on quality with sustainable quail breeding.
Embla is a Nordic food award that aims to showcase and strengthen Nordic food and the innovative people who create it. The Nordic Farmers’ Association Council (NBC), with support from the Nordic Council of Ministers, is behind the competition. The Embla Food Awards are held every two years, and the next final is in Oslo on March 11, 2022. The award is presented in seven different categories, with one nominated candidate from each Nordic country in each category.
– We are incredibly happy and proud that our talented customers Bjärefågel have won the Swedish nomination. Bjärefågel is an example in the industry in many ways; they work hard on both the sustainability issue and the deep-rooted traditions, and of course their chicken is extra delicious in many ways, not least for the taste buds, says Britt Rahm, CEO of Sigill Kvalitetssystem/Svenskt Sigill.
Bjäre Bird is the only climate-certified chicken producer
At present, bee-pollinators are the only ones that meet the strict requirements for climate certification within Svenskt Sigill. This means that they follow a long list of research-based measures to reduce the climate impact of their breeding operations. The climate certification means, for example, that they use a large proportion of locally produced feed and renewable energy. Feed consists of at least 30% ingredients that are grown in accordance with the rules for a climate certification. Measures are required to bind more carbon into the soil, so-called carbon sequestration, to make the soil more fertile and reduce the amount of carbon that escapes into the atmosphere.
But what comes first is always that the animals are well cared for. The bavian birds only breed the slow-growing breed Ranger Gold. The chicks have almost twice as much space to move around as in ordinary breeding operations; they must be healthy and also have the opportunity to play. They always have something to jump on, whether it be a platform or a straw bale. Unloading from the barn always takes place with at least two hands on each chicken to ensure everything goes smoothly and to reduce the risk of the chicken injuring itself.
-We know that chicken that feels good tastes extra good, both in the stomach and in the heart, says Per-Olof Ingemarsson, CEO of Bjärefågel. We are very happy that our unique way of raising chickens is receiving such attention.
The only chicken with a green light for climate by WWF
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also recently highlighted Bjärefågel at the launch of its Meat Guide. Swedish Sigill Climate-certified chicken is the only chicken that receives a green light for its climate impact in this year’s Meat Guide. WWF also highlighted the importance of using slow-growing breeds in chicken farming, which Bjärefågel meets.
Not the first Svenskt Sigill nomination
Previously, Bitte Persson from Larsviken Lantbruk has been a Swedish winner and nominee in the category of Food Entrepreneur of the Year at the Nordic final in 2017.
Contact persons
Britt Rahm, CEO of Sigill Quality System, britt.rahm@sigill.se, 010-184 41 97
Per-Olof Ingemarsson, CEO of Bjärefågel, po@bjarefagel.se, 0706-46 19 22
