Certified Sustainable Beef Framework Review: Stakeholder Consultations Report

Client: The Canadian Roundtable of Sustainable Beef

Expertise Applied:

  • Stakeholder Engagement

  • Qualitative Research Analysis

  • Knowledge of the Canadian Beef Industry Supply Chain

  • Topics in Agricultural Sustainability

We recently completed a stakeholder engagement project for the Canadian Roundtable of Sustainable Beef (CRSB) to inform the future of one of its pillars of focus: the Certified Sustainable Beef Framework. This certification program recognizes sustainable Canadian beef production and processing practices.

The CRSB’s vision is that “the Canadian beef industry is recognized globally to be economically viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible.”[1] The CRSB’s mission is to “advance continuous improvement in Canadian beef industry sustainability through multi-stakeholder engagement, collaboration, communication and science.”[2]

Given this emphasis on continuous improvement, it is perhaps no surprise that, when it launched in 2017, the CRSB committed to reviewing the Framework every five years. To inform the CRSB’s first review and update of the Framework, scheduled for 2022-23, the CRSB contracted our team to engage beef industry stakeholders across the country.

We designed a project to enable Canadian beef industry stakeholders to identify gaps in the Framework, flag opportunities for improvement and develop tangible actions for the CRSB to consider in its Framework update. We ensured we heard from a diversity of perspectives throughout the supply chain, ranging from producers to processors, and retail and foodservice representatives to staff from non-governmental organizations.

We engaged Canadian beef industry stakeholders through:

  • 18 interviews

  • 2 virtual workshops

  • A survey completed by 71 Canadian beef industry stakeholders

We used the findings from this engagement process to create a final report for the CRSB. The report outlines feasible, actionable recommendations for the CRSB to consider as it supports the Canadian beef industry in becoming a global leader in sustainability.

Does your organization want to engage your members to chart a path forward for agriculture and rural development? Contact us today to learn more about our research and engagement expertise.

 

[1] Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. (2021). 2021 Annual Report, p. 1.

[2] Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. (2021). 2021 Annual Report, p. 2.

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