U.S. Beef Sustainability Framework Opens for Comment

DENVER (May 3, 2018) – The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) today opened a 60-day public comment period on the group’s Sustainability Framework.

 The USRSB Sustainability Framework is a set of resources developed to assist ranchers, cattle auction markets, feedyards, packers, processors, and retail and food service organizations in their efforts to continuously improve the sustainability of U.S. beef.

 “The Framework was developed by the collective effort of more than 200 individuals who make up the USRSB and represent all segments of the beef value chain from producers to retailers, including non-governmental organizations and academic institutions,” said Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, the 2018 – 2019 USRSB Chair. “The USRSB membership has spent the past three years developing these resources, we believe they are practical and have the opportunity to be implemented at an industry level that will drive increased economic value and further advance continuous improvement in sustainability of U.S. beef.”

 The USRSB Framework is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is designed to be applicable to the diverse beef community who produce, buy and sell beef, highlights key areas important to the sustainability of beef and examining unique opportunities of each segment of the beef value-chain to identify opportunities to improve and reflect on their individual progress.

 “From the rancher to the family purchasing beef, everyone plays a unique role in beef sustainability. The USRSB Framework was intentionally designed to be applicable to all sizes and types of operations and companies no matter where they are in their sustainability journey,” Stackhouse-Lawson said.

 The key areas identified by the USRSB as being important to the sustainability of beef are referred to as High-Priority Indicators. These include: animal health and well-being, efficiency and yield, employee safety and well-being, land resources water resources, and air and greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainability Metrics and Sustainability Assessment Guides serve as the segment-specific elements of the framework and are specific to the cow-calf, cattle auction market, feedyard, packer and processor, and retail and foodservice sectors.

 “The USRSB Public Comment Period is an opportunity for us to listen. As we open this conversation to the public, we will build upon the instrumental work we have already completed,” said Stackhouse-Lawson. “Our journey is not complete after the comment period. The USRSB’s mission is to continuously improve, meaning we will always need to evaluate, assess, and adapt to ensure the U.S. beef value chain remains the trusted global leader in sustainable beef production.”

 The USRSB Public Comment Period will end July 1. To learn more about the USRSB Sustainability Framework or to participate in the 60-day public comment period, visit www.USRSBFramework.org.

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The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) is a multi-stakeholder initiative developed to advance, support, and communicate continuous improvement in the sustainability of U.S. beef production. The USRSB achieves this through leadership, innovation, multi-stakeholder engagement, and collaboration. For more information visit www.USRSB.org.