January 12, 2021

Canadian corn-fed beef quality programme approved as certification body for sustainability standard

The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) has announced last month that the Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance programme has successfully completed an assessment by CRSB's oversight body, NSF International.

According to the organisation, the programme has been approved as a certification body for the Certified Sustainable Beef Framework's Sustainable Beef Production Standard for beef feedlot operations in Ontario, Canada.

"We are pleased with the Ontario Corn Feed Beef programme's commitment to supporting their producers in demonstrating sustainable practices in Ontario feedlot operations by offering this element within their already-successful quality assurance programme," said Anne Wasko, chair of the CRSB.  "Incorporating the option of CRSB certification is a win-win for Ontario's beef industry, with a single streamlined audit process, and will help meet consumer demand for sustainably-raised beef."

Since its inception in 2001, the vision of the Ontario Corn Fed Beef programme was to ensure the long-term viability of cattle production in the province. It has grown to over 500 registered members who produce over 300,000 cattle annually, becoming one of the largest farm family-owned beef programmes in Canada.

"Part of the blueprint for the Ontario Corn Fed Beef Program has been strong programme leadership when it comes to on-farm quality assurances as it relates to our brand, our producers, our processor and retail partners, right down to the consumers who buy our branded beef products to serve their families," said Jim Clark, executive director of Ontario Cattle Feeders Association and the Ontario Corn Fed Beef programme. "Partnering with CRSB provides our producers an opportunity to supply beef from CRSB Certified farms and be recognised for their dedication to responsible beef production."

"With over 500 feedlots in Ontario already certified under the Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance programme and strong retail and foodservice partners who have been very clear in their desire to source beef from certified sustainable farms in Ontario, we have a strong base to start with," added Clark.

"We were very pleased to hear that the Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance programme was recently approved to become a certification body for the CRSB," said Richard Horne, executive director of the Beef Farmers of Ontario.

"Ontario's feedlot sector and the bulk of finished animals in the province will be well positioned to take advantage of sustainable programming. Local beef raised under a quality assurance programme was identified through our public research as an important purchasing driver for consumers, so having a made-in-Ontario programme that is also recognised nationally will serve our members and consumers well."

- CRSB