Woolworths Group joins leading sustainability body in the beef industry

6^th September 2022

• • Leading retailer, Woolworths Group, has joined the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
  • Woolworths Group becomes the first ANZ retailer and 26th new member to join the Roundtable in the last 12 months, following the likes of bovine genetics company, ABS Global, animal nutrition leader, Zinpro, agricultural foods processor, ADM, and US financial marketplace, CME Group
  • The retailer joins long-standing GRSB members such as McDonalds, WWF, Zoetis, and Cargill

Woolworths Group, Australia and New Zealand’s largest retailer, has joined forces with organizations such as WWF, McDonalds and Cargill as part of a worldwide network of people and organizations powering progress in sustainable beef – the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB).

Woolworths Group is committed to positive change for a better tomorrow, with animal welfare and sustainably-sourced produce being a core part of the businesses sourcing strategy. Woolworths Group’s values closely align with those of GRSB, with both organizations publishing ambitious sustainability goals.

Woolworths Group uses newly established Greenstock as its protein supply chain sourcing team to deliver quality Australian beef from paddock to the shelf, to the millions of customers who shop at its supermarkets every week. Greenstock also provides tailored protein solutions to our wholesale, international and foodservice businesses and is known for their quality, approach to win: win partnering and ongoing focus on sustainability and animal welfare.

The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef brings together all supply chain partners, from farm to plate, to support and invest in the continuous improvement of cattle health and wellbeing.

Woolworths Group joins a growing number of organizations committed to bettering the global beef supply chain, as part of GRSB. In the last 12 months, 26 new members have joined GRSB, including, ABS Global, fintech provider Origino and Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), a world leading derivatives marketplace operating in agriculture and ESG.

Ruaraidh Petre, Executive Director of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, said: “Since our launch, our ambition has been a commitment to powering progress in sustainable beef with the support of our members. Woolworths brings a wealth of experience in sustainable retailing across Australia and New Zealand, which will help us and our members continue to achieve the goals we set out last year. We are delighted to welcome the business today and look forward to working with them.”

Fiona Walmsley – General Manager – Climate and Environment at Woolworths Group said: “We’re pleased to be the first retailer in Australia and New Zealand to join the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef as we work together with peers and partners around the world to pave the way for greener supply chains and a better tomorrow. We’re committed to best-practice sourcing to support sustainability and animal welfare and this alliance  will play an important role in helping us reach our ambition to lead the future of protein and achieve net-zero deforestation in our beef supply chains. We look forward to collaborating with key industry stakeholders to help drive a more sustainable global beef supply chain.”

Contact
MHP Communications
grsb@mhpc.com

About the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
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.

About Woolworths Group
Woolworths Group is a food and everyday needs retailer united by the shared purpose of creating better experiences together for a better tomorrow. With more than 1,400 stores across its Woolworths Supermarkets, Countdown Supermarkets (New Zealand) and BIG W brands, and a range of fast-growing eCommerce businesses, Woolworths Group is Australia and New Zealand’s largest retailer. A top 20 company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Woolworths Group employs more than 180,000 team members and serves more than 20 million customers a week. In FY21, Woolworths Group reported sales of $67.2bn (AUD), including $5.6bn in online sales.