Harvest Road Group continues to demonstrate its commitment to animal welfare, today announcing it has joined the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB).
The GRSB vision is for: ‘a world where beef is a trusted part of a thriving food system in which the beef value chain is environmentally sound, socially responsible, and economically viable.’
The roundtable includes international leaders in the industry such as McDonald’s, Cargill and Tysons, and Australian industry representatives including Meat and Livestock Australia and the Cattle Council. In addition, membership includes advocacy agencies such as World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Membership of GRSB complements Harvest Road’s already well-established commitment to animal welfare reform through its No Pain, No Fear initiative. No Pain No Fear Pty Ltd was established by Tattarang Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest AO with a challenge to industry to ensure that all animals cared for in animal protein supply chains globally are free from all avoidable pain or fear. The NPNF initial focus is on the welfare of cattle, given the extensive integrated beef supply chain of Harvest Road.
Andrew Forrest said he was pleased to join the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, along with industry leaders, and GRSB clearly outlines what a good life for an animal can look like.
“Consumers have a right to know that what is on their plate didn’t come from pain or fear,” Andrew Forrest said. “We want to make it easier for consumers to be able to endorse good animal welfare practices with their own choices at the supermarket or in our restaurants.”
“We need a lift in industry standards that aims for far higher levels of welfare than are currently articulated in Australian industry standards, guidelines or legislation and seek to reform industry across the globe,” Dr Forrest said.
Paul Slaughter, CEO of Harvest Road, said animal welfare practices across the Australian industry are generally positive and many companies have invested significant time and money in exceeding current standards. “Our aspiration is to work across the sector to ensure that the standards articulate the good work that is happening in Australia and enables continuous improvement and a deep curiosity to understand how we could improve,” said Mr. Slaughter. “Animal welfare requirements in Australia are fragmented, with all States and Territories responsible for their own legislation. This makes it difficult to deliver reform that is consistent across the nation but by no means impossible. “Sustainable reform will be delivered if we do this together with the industry – producers and processors, financial markets, retailers, governments and consumers,” Mr. Slaughter said.
Ruaraidh Petre, Executive Director of GRSB said: “Harvest Road Is a business with values that clearly align with ours and that of our members which Is why we are so excited to welcome them. Launching our global goals last year was a key milestone for the organization and working with partners such as Harvest Road will help us achieve our mission for beef to be more environmentally sound, socially responsible, and economically viable.”
MEDIA CONTACT – HARVEST ROAD
Adam Haynes
M: +61 460 319 266
P: +61 8 6460 4949
E: ahaynes@minderoo.org
EDITOR’S NOTES
Harvest Road is part of Tattarang, one of Australia’s largest private investment groups and owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest. It features an agricultural heritage that dates back to 1878 when David Forrest founded Minderoo Station in the heart of the Pilbara, 40km southeast of Onslow.
With six generations of agricultural heritage and a deep commitment to ensuring our industry is sustainable, Harvest Road is committed to using innovative technology and methods to produce the highest quality food products. We are passionate about providing ethical and sustainable market-leading agricultural food, representative of the best Australia has to offer. Today the Harvest Road Group proudly encompasses the Harvest Road Beef and Leeuwin Coast brand.
The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) is a worldwide network of the people and organizations powering progress in sustainable beef. Across its global roundtable and 12 regional roundtables, GRSB has over 500 members, working in 24 different countries. Collectively, its members are responsible for more than two thirds of cross-border beef trade.
GRSB powers progress in sustainable beef by setting ambitious goals around reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving land use and animal welfare. To help achieve these goals, GRSB champions best practice, facilitates the exchange of knowledge and fosters a collaborative approach.
Visit www.grsbeef.org and @grsbeef on social media.
Contacts:
GRSB Executive Director, Ruaraidh Petre Ruaraidh.Petre@grsbeef.org
MHP Communications: grsb@mhpc.com