OTTAWA — A wide ranging assessment is being conducted into the sustainability of the Canadian beef industry.
The life cycle analysis is covering everything that happens from pasture to plate under the guidance of the Canadian Round Table on Sustainable Beef.
“The overall goal of doing a project like this is to really enhance the beef industry’s ability to communicate properly with consumers, domestically and internationally, about all the environmental and social benefits the beef industry does in Canada,” said Tom Lynch-Staunton, chair of the round table’s assessment committee.
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The project goals will create a base line assessment of the industry, he told the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting, which was held in Ottawa March 10-12.
The consulting firm Deloitte has been hired for the environmental and social assessment of ranch life, while Canfax is handling the economic sustainability study.
Food companies can use this kind of information. For example, McDonald’s Corp. has launched a pilot study to see if Canada can meet its requirements to provide beef from a sustainable system.
The final report could also help develop farm policy that supports sustainability.
The life cycle assessment considers how cattle are managed to minimize impacts on the environment. It will also consider biodiversity, animal welfare, water and soil use, carbon sequestration, wildlife interactions and effects on society.
Farms, ranches, feedlots and processors are included in the study.
“It is quite ground-breaking, but we are still at the data collection stage,” said Lynch-Staunton.
An international expert review of the analysis will also be undertaken to ensure that the study stands up to scientific scrutiny. Work started in April and a final report with recommendations is expected by November.
barbara.duckworth@producer.com
