News from the beef sustainability world

After careful consideration, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) has issued a temporary exception for all Certification Bodies.

This temporary exception allows for auditing to the Sustainable Beef Production Standard and Chain of Custody Requirements, to be conducted remotely, at the discretion of the Certification Body. For situations that do not allow for an on-site or remote audit to be completed, a six-month extension may be granted for operations requiring recertification. 

With the COVID-19 situation rapidly evolving, and physical distancing measures in place across the country, we wanted to provide you with an update on what the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is doing.

We are actively assessing our programs and initiatives, in particular the Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, as we do our part to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus. We will share further information and developments in the coming weeks.

Canada’s leaders in steak excellence, Chop Steakhouse & Bar, has officially been granted the CRSB Certified (Mass Balance) Mark for one of the restaurant’s favourite menu items, The Chop Burger. Displaying the CRSB Certified Mark with the burger sees Chop become the first full-service restaurant in Canada to have a CRSB sourcing claim on their menu, demonstrating the company’s support of sustainable beef production in Canada.

JBS Canada has achieved another milestone in its on-going commitment to sustainable food production.  The beef processing facility in Brooks, AB is now a Certified Sustainable Beef Processor, after successfully completing a third-party audit according to the Sustainable Beef Processing Standard as set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) has released its annual report, highlighting key achievements over the past year. Launched in 2018, the CRSB developed the first outcome-based certification program for beef sustainability in the world and uptake is steadily increasing. The organization also launched an online sustainability projects inventory and, through its partnership with MultiSAR, Cows and Fish, beef producer associations and the Species at Risk on Agricultural Lands program, has worked with 17 ranches and implemented 32 habitat improvements covering 189,000 acres in the Grassland Natural Region of Alberta.

With Centennial’s focus on quality and innovation it was an easy strategic decision to apply and complete the Chain of Custody audit requirements and establish internal processes to ensure we as a company, can remain true to the integrity of CRSB’s beef sustainability certification program in Canada.

Russ Mallard, President of Atlantic Beef Products Inc., Albany, Prince Edward Island, and Anne Wasko, Chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, are very pleased to announce that Atlantic Beef Products Inc beef processing plant in Albany, PEI has been recognized as a Certified Sustainable Beef Processing Operation, after successfully passing an audit by Where Food Comes From Inc.

Harvey's Restaurants has partnered with CRSB and is now sourcing a portion of its Original Burger beef according to CRSB's sustainability standards.

The founding Council and membership of the CRSB was honoured to receive the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA)’s Beef Industry Innovation and Sustainability Award (BIISA).
The award was presented by Bob Lowe, Vice President of the CCA at a reception during their Annual
Meeting last night. Presented on behalf of the beef producers who operate Canada’s 60,000 beef operations, BIISA recognizes innovations that contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry.