Sustainable Beef Production Standard
The Certified Sustainable Beef Framework is centered around sustainability standards developed collaboratively by the multi-stakeholder membership of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).
The Sustainable Beef Production Standard includes indicators that help producers demonstrate sustainable practices across five principles of sustainable beef as developed by the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), an organization similar to the CRSB which works on beef sustainability globally.
The Sustainable Beef Production Standard sets indicators for these five elements in beef production across cow-calf, backgrounding and feedlot operations. The standard is measurable, based on science and expert opinion, and addresses key concerns around the sustainability of beef production in Canada. The standard uses an ‘outcome-based’ approach, meaning that the practices used to meet the individual indicators in the standard are what is measured, not prescribing specific ways to achieve them. This outcome-based model allows for the diverse ways for beef producers to demonstrate sustainable practices based on their individual operation, climate, region, soil type, production style, and more.
The standard includes a three-level scoring system, including Achievement, Innovation and Excellence levels. Certification requires meeting, at minimum, the “Achievement Level” on every indicator. “Innovation” and “Excellence” levels are incorporated to foster continuous improvement over time, in keeping with sustainability being a journey, rather than an end-point to be reached. Each indicator in the standard outlines the goal of the indicator, and what is expected to meet each assessment level.
Many producers may already have the sustainable practices in place to meet the standard. The CRSB's Certification Bodies assist producers in identifying areas for improvement, and preparing for a certification audit.
