Fili Poultry Farm Achieves Historic Distinction as UAE’s First Free-Range Certified Producer
Sharjah's Fili Poultry Farm has been awarded the Free-Range Label by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, marking a significant milestone for the nation's commitment to elevated agricultural standards and sustainable food production.
Fili Poultry Farm, operating under the stewardship of Sharjah Agricultural and Livestock Production Establishment (Ektifa), has attained a distinction of considerable significance by becoming the first farm throughout the United Arab Emirates to receive the Free-Range Label from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. This prestigious recognition underscores the establishment’s unwavering dedication to maintaining standards that align with internationally acknowledged best practices.
The accolade reflects Fili’s meticulous commitment to excellence across every facet of poultry husbandry, encompassing animal welfare, product excellence and the most stringent food safety protocols. By achieving this certification, the farm reinforces the confidence of discerning consumers whilst simultaneously strengthening its standing within the marketplace and broadening access to nutritionally superior food options that contribute to enhanced wellbeing and quality of life.
Dr Farah Al Zarooni, Assistant Undersecretary for the Standards Affairs Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, emphasised the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to fostering the expansion and competitive strength of the UAE’s industrial sector. She noted that the national quality infrastructure, encompassing rigorous standards, metrology, conformity assessment, accreditation and market surveillance programmes, serves as a fundamental pillar in advancing sustainable industrial development and elevating the competitiveness of Emirati products across both domestic and international marketplaces.
The Free-Range Label represents a credible mechanism for affirming compliance with established production requirements and standards, particularly within food industries that constitute a recognised national priority sector. Dr Al Zarooni encouraged agricultural enterprises throughout the Emirates to pursue this certification, recognising its potential to facilitate market access and enhance product competitiveness on the global stage.
Dr Eng. Khalifa Musabeh Al Teneiji, Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and Chief Executive Officer of Ektifa, acknowledged this achievement as a transformative milestone that exemplifies Fili’s dedication to exemplary poultry rearing and animal husbandry. The certification recognises Fili’s slow-growing poultry, nurtured within a free-range system that eschews the use of hormones, and reflects the farm’s comprehensive approach to producing safe, organically sourced sustenance.
A particularly distinctive element of Fili’s operation is the specialised feed formula developed under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. This meticulously composed blend incorporates organic wheat and corn, soybeans, turmeric and vegetable oils, enriched with garlic, wild thyme, oregano, eucalyptus and frankincense. Such thoughtful formulation exemplifies the farm’s holistic approach to nutritional excellence and its unwavering commitment to consumer satisfaction.
The recognition of Fili Poultry Farm reaffirms Ektifa’s broader commitment to implementing internationally recognised quality standards across its comprehensive portfolio and adhering to the rigorous requirements established by organic food systems certification. This achievement stands as a testament to the collaborative partnership between Ektifa and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, their shared vision for advancing national production excellence and their mutual dedication to establishing the Emirates as a beacon of agricultural innovation and food security.
Source: WAM