NZRSB Update - May 2021
NEW CHAIR
Richard Scholefield of Whangara Farms, Gisborne has been elected Chair of the New Zealand Roundtable of Sustainable Beef, following the recent annual meeting in Invercargill.
Richard, who has a strong background in sustainability, is keen to continue to build on the good work achieved by the NZRSB so far.
“Previous Chair Grant Bunting and many of the board are staying on, so we’ll have good continuity as well as a good platform to continue to build on the goal of having New Zealand recognised as the world’s most sustainable beef.”
“The Roundtable is a unique and important body in New Zealand in that it spans the supply chain. This collaboration is vital to help us achieve having the world’s most sustainable beef.”
Richard and Whangara Farms were involved with the year-long Proof of Concept trial that showed it was possible to produce a McDonald’s beef patty sustainably across the supply chain. The trial involved 500 cattle.
“Focuses for the Roundtable this year include evolving the framework that helps us demonstrate sustainable value for Roundtable members, with 10,000 cattle being traced and independently verified sustainable beef through the supply chain; as well as growing the membership and evolving the working groups and action plans to help us to achieve it all.”
Grant Bunting congratulated Richard and the new board on their appointments and thanked all those involved so far for getting the organisation well and truly off the ground.
“As the only organisation spanning the supply chain, we have an important role in promoting what the industry is already doing in the sustainability space as well as supporting all the players to become even more sustainable.
“I’m thrilled to hand over to Richard. From what I’ve seen around the world with other Roundtables, I think part of the NZRSB’s future success will be in it being farmer-led.”
Grant also thanked Rennie Davidson who was standing down as Executive Officer. “Rennie has done a great job of bringing the Proof of Concept trial to fruition and keeping us all on track as we established and developed the Roundtable.”
The NZRSB is currently recruiting for an Executive Officer (more information below).
About Richard Scholefield
Richard is General Manager of Whangara Farms, comprising 9,500ha north of Gisborne. It was the first farm outside the EU to become a McDonald’s flagship farm. Richard was involved in a beef-cow sustainability programme with McDonald’s, Silver Fern Farms and Beef + Lamb NZ, as well as the Proof of Concept trial from which the Roundtable has developed. As a Maori Incorporation, Whangara Farms is intergenerational so has to be sustainable for future generations and that drives its direction and policies.
NEW BOARD AND WORKING GROUPS
The New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef now has a new Board and working groups. View the Board member representative profiles here on the NZRSB website.
NZRSB Board Working groups
ANNUAL MEETING
The New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef’s inaugural conference and Annual Meeting were held in Invercargill recently and highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Guest speaker Rachel Depree, Zespri’s Executive Officer for Sustainability, spoke about how Zespri was meeting the environmental and social challenges common to all primary sector industries. Read more here.
Blake Holgate, Head of Rabobank’s Sustainable Business Development, introduced the Sustainable Agricultural Finance Initiative and told the audience that environmental and social sustainability is likely to play an increasing role in financial lending. He believed New Zealand agriculture was well-positioned to capitalise on this growth in sustainable agricultural finance. Read more here.
GRSB Executive Director Ruaraidh Petre gave an update on the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef goals and talked about challenges such as the UN Food Systems Summit, which has put together an ambitious list of actions led by high profile vegans or advocates of a plant-based diet.
“These UN processes will influence government policy around the world.” He told the conference the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) has three draft global goals around Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Animal Wellbeing, and Responsible Land Use. These include reducing the carbon footprint of beef by 30% by 2030 on the pathway to carbon neutrality (with measurable progress by 2025) and to reduce mortality by 10% by 2030 while providing cattle with a life worth living. Reducing the carbon footprint of beef would include safeguarding and building carbon stores in the soils and landscapes managed by beef producers.
A field trip to Roslyn Downs, a New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme Plus pilot farm, was held the previous day as part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Annual Meeting and Showcase. The Miller family, who farm Roslyn Downs, a 620ha sheep and beef property, showed how excellence in environmental management benefits farm productivity and profitability, allowing further investment in environmental protection and enhancement - read more here.
WANTED - 10,000 COWS
In 2020 a proof of concept trial based on 500 cattle demonstrated that sustainable beef could be traced through the supply chain and produced into McDonald’s patties.
This year we want to scale the framework with 10,000 cattle being traced to independently verified sustainable beef through the supply chain.
This will involve evolving the proof of concept framework to further advance and recognise sustainability in New Zealand through a world class programme that enables producers and processors to demonstrate sustainability in their operation; helps the retail and food service industries to meet their sustainable sourcing requirements; and provides transparent, science-based claims to consumers and the public.
Farmers: If you want to know more or be part of this framework email info@nzsustainablebeef.co.nz
RECRUITING NOW - EXECUTIVE OFFICER
About the Role:
An opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking group leading the way in having New Zealand beef recognised as the world’s most sustainable beef.
The New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (NZRSB) is a unique body comprising members from across the beef supply chain working together and focusing on best practice to achieve its world-leading sustainability goal.
The Executive Officer will be instrumental in implementing the NZRSB strategy as well as keeping members and stakeholders engaged.
This is a newly created part-time role, working from home 3 days per week. The position will require some flexibility as the role evolves.
Duties and Responsibilities will include:
Providing support to the NZRSB Chair, Secretary and Board as required
Instrumental in driving the organisation’s strategy through developing and delivering on key outcomes and goals
Ensuring NZRSB’s recognised Assurance Programmes are delivered effectively and efficiently in accordance with NZRSB’s objectives
Ensuring relevant data and reporting is available to key stakeholders
Organising meetings and ensuring meetings are well planned, actions have been updated and papers are sent prior to meetings
Develop and grow relationships with key stakeholders
Other administrative tasks as required
Skills and experience required:
A high level of experience dealing with assurance programmes within the food sector
Proven customer service experience
Excellent verbal and written communication
Experience in managing and delivering on multiple projects and projects at one time
inspired to make a difference
If you are looking to make your mark, have an affinity with the sector, and are inspired by making a real difference, this role is your opportunity.
To apply please send your expression of interest and a copy of your curriculum vitae to amy.webster@anzcofoods.com
A copy of the position description can be sourced here.
Applications close Friday 14th May 2021.
FARMERS UNDER FIRE IN GUARDIAN ARTICLE
The NZRSB has responded to criticism about New Zealand farming practices.
Read both stories here.
COMING UP
The new Board is meeting in Christchurch on 20 May 2021.
We'll provide you with an update after that meeting.