Animal Health and Welfare Working Group (AHW) – Terms of Reference (Updated: August 9, 2023)
Co-chairs: Josh White, Mandi McLeod, Bruce McConnel
A. INTRODUCTION
The Animal Health and Welfare Group (AHWG), is a technical working group of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) and the network of national and regional beef and cattle roundtables around the world – focused on helping advance solutions that improve wellbeing of cattle and contribute to GRSB’s Animal Health and Welfare Goal, Principle and Criteria.
Membership of the wider working group is open to all GRSB members, and in the development of any documents or projects, the wider working group will be informed and consulted. The co-chairs will select a smaller representative group of experts for the purpose of drafting documents, projects, and proposals, referred to as the core group. The co-chairs will schedule separate meetings of the core group and to inform and consult with the wider group as appropriate.
To date the AHWG has played the role of bringing stakeholders together, advancing constructive dialogues, sharing science, research and information, and updating stakeholders on progress, challenges and opportunities. In particular the group was instrumental in the drafting of the Global Goal, and evolved from earlier, more ad hoc efforts on animal health and welfare subsequent to the drafting of Principles and Criteria. Following the release of the goal, emphasis now moves to establishing baselines, and monitoring & evaluation of efforts towards the goal.
B. GRSB STRATEGIC PLAN
In spring of 2019, the Board of Directors of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) undertook a strategic planning exercise including a membership survey, interviews, and a design thinking workshop to create a framework for the coming five to ten years. The purpose of a strategic plan is to prioritize goals and objectives to guide the work of the organization – its members, board, and staff – in meeting the challenges and opportunities of the coming years.
As a result of that meeting the following 2030 priorities were agreed on:
GRSB 2030 Strategic Plan Priorities
1. Establish a limited number of “Global Goals” for the GRSB Network;
2. Communicate to ensure that beef is a trusted part of a thriving food system.
3. Support the Roundtable Network.
4. Develop an information system to report progress on the GRSB Global Goals.
5. Develop and Strengthen partnerships to meet the Global Goals.
To be recognized as a global leader and to ensure the GRSB network is successful in achieving its vision, GRSB set a number of aspirational Strategic Goals to drive its work forward and create impact. Goals are being built on the GRSB Principles & Criteria, focusing action on the opportunities that result in the biggest impact and will be formulated for the whole beef value chain.