Beef Groups Stand Up for Canada's Animal Care Rules

This week, a Canadian restaurant chain caused uproar when it said it would begin to source beef from the US instead.

The chain, Earls Restaurants, said that it could not source enough ‘Certified Humane’-labelled beef from Canada, and so turned to new suppliers in Kansas.

In a statement, Alberta Beef Producers said it was disappointed in Earls’ decision to stop purchasing Alberta/Canadian beef and move to a US-based certification programme.

"It is unfortunate a Canadian company would not consult with the Canadian beef industry prior to making this choice – resulting in the incorrect implication that our beef is not humanely raised," the organisation said.

"The Canadian beef industry has robust animal protection regulations, a recently revised Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle, and a long history of producers committed to caring for their animals.“ - Click here to read more.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) added that Canadian animal care regulations and standards are among the best in the world.

"Canadian animal care regulations and standards, including the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle, can stand up to, and perhaps even exceed, any world-wide certifications or standards,” the association said – read more.

Meanwhile in Denmark, The Danish Council of Ethics has voted that Danes should act against climate change by implementing a tax on beef.

A majority of 14 of the Council's 17 members recommended a tax on beef in the consumption stage, as they said it would clarify the issues for consumers and lead to restricted spending on beef.

The Council concluded that Danes are ethically obliged to change eating habits, and that a tax on beef or ruminants generally would be able to make a big difference in emissions whilst raising awareness of the problem.

However, in response, the Danish Agriculture and Food Council (Landbrug & Fødervarer - L & F) said the Ethics Council was on the wrong track with its recommendation – read more.