Jalisco Presents The Success Case Of The Sustainable Agave-tequila Chain.

Technology
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

This case will serve as a reference for promoting biodiversity conservation practices in other states.


As part of the activities of the Biodiversity Working Group of the National Association of State Environmental Authorities (ANAAE), the Ministry of the Environment and Territorial Development (Semadet) presented a success story on the integration of biodiversity in the productive sectors, during the Forum towards the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP15) "The contributions of Mexican subnational governments to biodiversity conservation and the global objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)".

During this space, Carmen Gómez Lozano, Director of Biological Corridors and Watersheds at Semadet, discussed the case of the sustainable agave-tequila chain, which has been consolidated through the Agave Responsable Ambiental (ARA) certification mark of the Government of Jalisco in co-ownership with the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT).

The goal for 2027 is to ensure that the supply of Agave tequilana Weber blue variety, destined for tequila production, has not caused deforestation. To date, more than 300,000 liters of tequila have been produced with this certification and there are four authorized producers; to promote this sustainable chain in sites with appellation of origin, following the launch of ARA, a Tripartite Agreement was signed between the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato and the CRT.

It is important to note that Semadet, through the Directorate of Land Management, has a dispute resolution mechanism, a process for resolving disagreements from people interested in registering plots of land for tequila production that were outside the area of eligibility.

In one year, more than 78,000 disputes have been dealt with and 1,400,000 hectares have been analyzed, of which 7,561 hectares were identified as forest ecosystems and therefore will not be integrated into the agave-tequila chain.

ARA certification is an industry self-regulation measure and the most forceful action to halt deforestation in Jalisco, in compliance with the General Law for Sustainable Forest Development (LGDFS), and is a free procedure that meets new international market demands.

The success stories presented during this forum are aligned with the commitments established in the Pronouncement of Mexican subnational governments in support of the Edinburgh Declaration and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as the Action Plan of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities for biodiversity (2021-2030).

In this Forum, the states of Quintana Roo, Veracruz, Sonora and Jalisco shared their experiences, particularly the success case of the sustainable agave-tequila chain, which can serve as a reference for promoting biodiversity conservation practices in other states.