May 25, 2022

 

Farm Credit Canada to provide incentive for certified beef producers

 

 

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is providing an incentive to attract and recognise Canadian beef producers certified for standards set by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).

 

The FCC Sustainability Incentive Program will provide a payment to FCC customers who are CRSB Certified through Verified Beef Production Plus, Where Food Comes From Canada and the Ontario Corn Fed Beef Quality Assurance Program.

 

Vice-president of marketing Todd Klink said FCC is pleased to work with the CRSB to recognise FCC customers who have already achieved their certification and to encourage additional producers to become certified.

 

"Canadian producers are already expert stewards of the land and livestock, and the beef sector has been a leader in demonstrating their sustainable practices through the CRSB," Klink said. "FCC already has lending solutions to support our customers' sustainable practices. Launching this programme with the CRSB is another way to support the industry on its sustainability journey."

 

The payment will be calculated as a portion of their lending with FCC to a maximum of $2,000 per year.

 

Certified producers are welcome to reapply for the incentive payment each year for the life of the FCC Sustainability Incentive Program.

 

Anne Wasko is the CRSB chair and co-owner of Bar 4 Bar Land and Cattle Inc. She applauded FCC for seeing the benefits of CRSB Certified beef production practices.

 

"The Canadian beef industry is continually evolving for the benefit of people, animals and our planet," Wasko said. "Thanks to the sustainable practices demonstrated by CRSB Certified beef producers, we have seen tremendous environmental stewardship and a high standard of animal care, which leads to a thriving beef industry today and for future generations.

 

"Sustainable practices will help achieve the ambitious long-term goals set by the industry."

 

The CRSB certification programme involves an on-going audit process. Wasko said part of the process is to ensure operations are meeting its sustainability standards based upon five principles: natural resources, people and community, animal health and welfare, food, and efficiency and innovation.

 

"There is an increasing demand from consumers for certified assurances of sustainably-raised beef," Wasko said. "Canadian farmers and ranchers care about the environment, and we will continue to do what's right to conserve our land and our animals, and to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of the future."

- panow.com