Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 11/25/11

A 2 million euros ($2.7 million)  pledge from the Dutch government will help advance a multi-stakeholder effort to improve sustainability in the global beef supply chain.

The financial support will be issued over the next four years to support projects administered by the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), whose membership includes Cargill, JBS, Walmart and the World Wildlife Fund, among many others.

GRSB chair Ruaraidh Petre said in a news release the money will provide training and technology to improve the efficiency and productivity of smallholder and frontier farmers. The ultimate goal is to give beef producers better access to markets and therefore better income levels.

The funding will be more than doubled by matching contributions from the relevant industrial sectors involved, with GRSB affiliates in beef-producing nations across the globe.

“The GRSB is a relatively young and vibrant organization whose members recognize and respect the critical role that beef cattle serve by converting plant materials into safe, wholesome and affordable food for the growing global population,” said Roger Cady, GRSB treasurer.

“This latest announcement by the Dutch government is a vote of confidence for our organization and demonstrates how a roundtable can harness resources for the greater good of all,” he added. “We look forward to delivering science-based, measurable outcomes that are environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable.”

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.