GRSB Connect for June 23, 2015 |
|
Dear GRSB Member, I had a conversation this week about communication between opponents to an enterprise or initiative and those who defend it — relevant in much of what we all do, we often find we are opposed from one side or another.
Sustainability News Harvesting the Research: Valuing Ecosystem Services to Offset Global Costs of AgricultureDateline: 06/08/15, Source: By Danielle Nierenberg, Huffington PostFood Tank spoke with Dr. Harpinder Sandhu, lead author of a paper on the value of ecosystem services published in PeerJ, an online scientific and medical journal. Sustainable beef? It's What's for DinnerDateline: 06/10/15, Source: By Mike Wilson, Farm FuturesIs beef sustainable? The short answer, if you believe social media and animal activist groups, is no. No way. While I have a hard time believing the alarmist rants, there's a mountain of evidence that says animal livestock and sustainability have a hard time dancing in the same sentence. But despite that reckoning, people still crave beef. Bion Updates and Defines Objectives of Sustainable Brand InitiativeDateline: 06/18/15, Source: PR NewswireLBion Environmental Technologies, Inc. a provider of advanced livestock waste treatment technology, announced it is on track to submit its application for a sustainable brand certification through the USDA Process Verified Program (PVP) in August/September of this year. Bion's objective is to secure a sustainable brand that can be applied to both the livestock protein products (beef, pork, dairy, and poultry) produced on farms that implement Bion's technology, as well as the by—products refined in the process, such as organic fertilizer and soil amendments. Members In The News Panera Debuts Open—Kitchen Concept; Promotes Clean MenuDateline: 06/17/15, Source: ZacksPanera's Food Policy is consistent with the growing awareness about healthy diet among consumers. Last year, McDonald's Corp listed its sustainability goals for 2020 per the rules of Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef — an organization to advance continuous improvement in sustainability of the global beef. The fast—food giant outlined the global criteria for sustainable beef production and announced plans to purchase verified sustainable beef by 2016. Cargill, Monsanto, P&G to Develop Sustainability Metrics for FarmersDateline: 06/12/15, Source: Environmental LeaderThe Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture along with its 75 members — including Cargill, Coca—Cola, Environmental Defense Fund and Monsanto — pledged to develop the next generation of farm—level sustainability metrics during a roundtable session at the White House. The metrics are designed to help growers measure and ultimately, reduce emissions. Brazilian Food Giant Reports Progress in Pledge to Preserve AmazonDateline: 06/05/15, Source: By Helen Arnold, GlobalMeatNewsBrazilian food processing giant JBS, which has publicly pledged not to purchase cattle from ranches responsible for deforestation inside the Amazon Biome region, has reported that of 12,221 sales in 2014, only four were from non—conforming farms, according to its annual independent audit. Ruchi Soya—Solidaridad Deal to Help Palm Oil Farmers in SustainabilityDateline: 06/09/15, Source: FnBnewsRuchi Soya Industries Ltd, a leading edible oil and soya foods company, recently inked a deal with Solidaridad, a civil society organisation developing supply chains. Valued at Euros 4.5 million, the deal was signed in the presence of prime minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte. As part of the deal, Ruchi Soya will share 55% of this investment and Solidaridad the remaining 45%. The project will work on the principle of 'Make in India' and 'More Crop per Drop.' Antibiotic Stewardship Plan, Significant Research Effort Announced by ElancoDateline: 06/03/15, Source: BEEF MagazineAs the rhetoric heats up over the use of antibiotics in food—producing animals, pharmaceutical companies are stepping to the fore to proactively help address the issue. For example, Elanco Animal Health participated in the White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship where Elanco President Jeff Simmons was part of a panel discussion. Concurrently, Simmons is unveiled the company's multi—faceted approach to combat the growing concern about antibiotic resistance. Feedstuffs, Elanco Launch VFD CentralDateline: 04/17/15, Source: Feedstuffs FoodLinkBy 2017, the growth promotion use of antibiotics approved for both humans and animals, as defined in U.S. FDA Guidances 209 and 213, will no longer be allowed. To guide all segments of animal agriculture through these regulatory changes, Feedstuffs and Elanco Animal Health have partnered to create an online resource center, VFD Central. McDonald's Undertakes Pilot Project for Sustainable Beef PracticesDateline: 06/10/15, Source: Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary HeraldFast food giant McDonald's is conducting a global beef sustainability pilot project in Alberta with about 100 ranchers in the province expressing interest in participating. McDonald's said it has identified beef sustainability as a key business priority and is committed to being more progressive in partnering with industry to advance sustainable practices. Policy Pennings: Walmart's New Positions on Agricultural Practices Will Filter Down to the Farm LevelkDateline: 06/11/15, Source: By By Daryll E. Ray and Harwood D. Schaffer, Drovers CattleNetwork"Our customers want to know more about how their food is grown and raised, and where it comes from," said Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation and senior vice president of Walmart sustainability, on May 22, 2015 as the retailer announced new positions on the humane treatment of farm animals and the responsible use of antibiotics in farm animals. Their action joins those of other retailers and restaurants like Whole Foods, McDonalds, and Chipotle in setting standards for the food they sell. Is Animal Welfare Becoming a Commercial Issue?Dateline: 06/19/15, Source: The Sheep SiteLarge multinational processing companies, retailers and foodservice organisations are starting to define the way that producers view animal welfare and ethical, sustainable production. Ten years ago, Walmart's UK division, Asda, launched its sustainability programme, Sustainability 360, which started a total sustainability programme that has developed over the years. Our Members | To read the entire source article, click on the link in the headline.Welcome to the Table! We Welcome The Newest Member to the Roundtable Dateline: June 2015Nature's Blueprint CowConstituency: ProducerNature's Blueprint Cow works with the identification, evaluation and selection of bovine genetics which best work in sync with nature (i.e., the design which nature intended). The express purpose is to provide bovine genetics and education to Farmers for sustainably and profitably producing high quality, nutrient dense and naturally produced food. Members in the News Zoetis: No—Penicillin Feed AdditiveDateline: date |
UnsubscribeCopyright © 2015 Global Roundtable for Sustainable BeefAdministrative Offices: 13570 Meadowgrass Drive, Suite 201Colorado Springs, CO 80921 USA1-719-355-2935 (Telephone) 1-719-538-8847 (Facsimile)All rights reserved.Contact email: admin@grsbeef.orgYou are receiving this message as a benefit of membership to the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef |