ERBS was established in 2018 to unite the industry to make a positive, measurable and credible impact, the Polish Beef Cattle Producers Association announced as part of its LoweKrowe campaign.
Read more
What are the goals of the beef sector? Talks with the Minister of Agriculture
Environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable production
ERBS focuses on sustainable production, in line with the principle "from farm to fork". It aims to ensure that all elements of the beef production chain are environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically viable.
– ERBS members, including Poland, work together to share knowledge, create solutions and promote sustainable cattle farming systems that provide the best quality of life for cattle. This improves the quality of the agricultural landscape, helps to better cope with climate crises and strengthens livelihoods while providing healthy and nutritious food – says Jerzy Wierzbicki, president of the Polish Beef Cattle Breeders Association.
Read more
France reports bluetongue outbreak near Belgian border
What goals do beef farmers set for themselves?
PZPBM presents the goals that beef cattle breeders set for themselves within the framework of ERBS.
- In the area of environmental protection, ERBS aims to recognise the positive role of beef production in mitigating climate change, through carbon reduction strategies and sequestration, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions intensity.
- In the area of animal medicines, the target outcomes are to reduce antibiotic use to below 10 mg/kg and to reduce the use of critically important, high priority antibiotics (HP-CIA) by 50%.
- In terms of animal health and welfare, farmers aim to reduce mortality rates to below 1.5%, and for systems where mortality rates exceed this target, a reduction of 20% year-on-year should be achieved.
- By 2030, all animals should have access to free-range housing and pain relief during all surgical procedures, castration and dehorning.
- In turn, farm management needs to reduce the number of serious farm accidents and reduce the number of fatalities, with the overall goal being zero.
Animal health and welfare are fundamental elements of the sustainable development of beef production
– For every beef cattle farmer, animal health and welfare are fundamental elements of the overall sustainable development of beef production. Providing cattle with an environment in which they can thrive has a positive impact on productivity and efficiency, which in turn supports economic efficiency, and also has a positive impact on the natural environment through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions – emphasizes Jacek Zarzecki, president of the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Breeders and Producers.
PZPBM points out that ERBS unites and coordinates sustainability programmes around a common agenda to ensure measurable and positive impacts within the beef value chain, in line with the principles of the Global Roundtable on Sustainable Beef (GRSB) and other major international bodies.
“All members are committed and united in a common vision and mission, have the same goals and have a positive impact on animal welfare, animal health, the environment and farm management,” the Association emphasizes.
