New Zealand has taken a significant step towards sustainable beef production, aligning its goals with the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB). The 2023 annual report of the GRSB highlights the completion of the first goals consultation process by the New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (NZRAB), involving members and key stakeholders.
The NZRSB, comprising four meat processors, producers, food retailers, observers, and allied service companies, including Beef + Lamb NZ, has set a vision to make New Zealand beef the world’s most sustainable. This ambition is underpinned by a commitment to continuous improvement in environmental, economic, and social aspects.
The mission of the NZRSB is to collaboratively and transparently produce the world’s most sustainable beef through strategic and coordinated actions. Its goals encompass four animal health and welfare objectives, a climate goal, a nature-positive goal, and several organisational goals.
According to the GRSB’s annual report, 2021 and 2022 were focused on setting these goals, with 2023 being the year for reporting on them. Ian McConnel, President of the GRSB from Australia, and Executive Director Ruaraidh Petre, based in Nelson, NZ, have developed a reporting framework to gather both quantitative and qualitative data from national roundtables.
This initiative aims to enhance transparency and provide a clear picture of the global improvements in sustainable beef production.
Petre, representing the GRSB at the COP28 conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, addressed the challenges faced by the beef industry, including an anti-beef agenda.
He emphasised the importance of livestock production in the global food system, highlighting its role in human nutrition and maintaining healthy soils for crop production. Petre advocated for holistic solutions to complex issues, rather than simplistic approaches, underscoring the need for informed policymaking in this sector.
