Today, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) held its second virtual semi-annual meeting, with another record attendance. Over120 tuned in live to hear important updates and progress from all work streams of the CRSB, as well as an engaging expert panel discussion on utilizing consumer research to evaluate sustainability motivations.
The CRSB reported an amazing level of progress, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Highlights from Council and Committee reports today included (but certainly not limited to!):
- Certified Sustainable Beef Framework progress:
- over 12 million lbs of beef have been sold with a CRSB Claim since the program started in 2018
- 4 processing facilities certified, 5 operations certified to track beef through the supply chain, and now 5 companies sourcing beef from certified sustainable farms and ranches across Canada
- Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance Program now offers certification for Ontario feedlots, brining the total to three Certification Bodies for the program
- Initiating a review of the Certified Sustainable Beef Framework with stakeholder engagement
- Collaboration and Engagement on the global scale through Global Roundtable for Sustainable beef conference and goal setting, and dialogues related to the UN Food Systems Summit
- Initiating an update to the National Beef Sustainability Assessment and Strategy
- Annual Project Inventory survey is now open until May 31, 2021
- Great success in Communciations and marketing through public awareness campaigns specifically on the environmental benefits of Canadian beef, a Canadian Agri-marketing Award, collaboration with other stakeholders and members, and significant amplification of sustainability messaging by certification framework users in the marketplace.
2030 Canadian Beef Goals
The CRSB’s meeting was also the launching point for the second phase of Canadian Beef Industry 2030 Goals, featuring topics addressing improvements in water and soil quality, supporting the health and safety of people throughout the supply chain, improving beef quality, and incorporating technology to improve efficiencies.
Building upon five-year goals that were outlined in the 2020-2024 National Beef Strategy, the industry has now identified a suite of ambitious ten-year goals that provide clear messaging about the process to continually improve how cattle are raised and enhance the natural environments under the care of beef farmers and ranchers.
This entire suite of long-term goals highlight the work of the Canadian beef industry as integral for climate change mitigation, supporting communities, embracing innovation, and the overall sustainability of our food system. The wide variety of topics covered in the long-term goals underscores the vast benefits of raising beef cattle in Canada, beyond supplying global protein demand, and address all five of the principles of beef sustainability adopted here in Canada – Natural Resources, People & Community, Animal Health and Welfare, Food, and Efficiency & Innovation.
Overview Canadian Beef 2030 Goals.
In case you missed it, watch the recording here.
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