GRSB Conference Continues Sustainable Beef Conversation

ANALYSIS - Nearly 225 beef value chain stakeholders from 15 countries around the world participated in seminars and moderated discussions focused on advocating for continuous improvement in the global beef value chain during the 2016 Global Conference on Sustainable Beef (GCSB) held in early October in Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada.
calendar icon 17 October 2016
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Advancing zero deforestation in beef production, assessing the overall sustainability of the beef value chain and connecting consumers and sustainability were just a few of the topics discussed at the that was co-hosted by the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) and the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).

“We were delighted with the mixture of people that attended the conference,” said Dennis Laycraft, president of the GRSB. “We covered a number of critical industry topics on beef sustainability and fostered discussions that brought people together. With that, I think we achieved what we had hoped for – we are bringing more interest and recognition to sustainability and the role of the beef industry.”

The Conference, themed “Building On Experience: Regionally and Globally,” offered a keynote presentation by Dr David Hughes, Emeritus Professor of Food Marketing at Imperial College London, entitled “What Do You Want with Your Beef,” which addressed the history of consumer consumption and marketing of beef and current consumer expectations of the industry.

Regional roundtables, including the US, Canada and Brazil among others, gave presentations on how they are adapting sustainable beef practices within their geographical areas and measuring the impact on a local level. 

“Canada was honoured to co-host this forward-thinking conference and pleased to showcase the work being done here," said Cherie Copithorne-Barnes, a rancher from Alberta and Chair of the CRSB. “The conference was a great opportunity to exchange information and learn from our global partners and stakeholders.”

During the Global Conference, the CRSB launched its National Beef Sustainability Assessment and Strategy. The Assessment is a farm to fork study examining the environmental, social and economic performance of the Canadian beef industry. The Sustainability Strategy sets goals, baselines, key performance indicators and action items to help the CRSB target its efforts and move sustainability forward.

“The sustainability of agri-food systems is critical as consumers look for safe, healthy and affordable food that is raised in an environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable way,” said Fawn Jackson, Executive Director of the CRSB. “The Assessment provides the CRSB with a benchmark and important communication tool as we implement the Sustainability Strategy.”

In 2014, the GRSB held its first ever Global Conference on Sustainable Beef in Sao Paulo, Brazil. At the Conference, GRSB adopted five core principles that define global sustainable beef including:

  • Natural resources
  • People & the community
  • Animal health & welfare
  • Food
  • Efficiency & innovation

These principles were at the centre of discussion during the Conference in Banff, as members presented efforts to contribute to sustainable practices on a local level in the production, processing, and merchandising of beef.

“The conference is critical not only to the beef industry but to consumers as well,” said Ruaraidh Petre, executive director of the GRSB. “Consumers may not be directly involved in the industry, but they have questions. And we want to engage in that conversation, we have been able to demonstrate that we are working on it, we are on top of it, and we are coming up with solutions and are able to show them what it looks like in a local context.”

Sarah Mikesell, Senior Editor

Sarah Mikesell, Senior Editor

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