On November 3rd, 2014, The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) formally approved "principles and criteria" that will advance sustainable beef standards around the world. The meeting brought together cattle ranchers, feedlot operators, packers, wholesalers, restaurants and retailers, academics, activists and others from more than 18 countries. The Principles and Criteria were designed to create a global common platform for the setting of standards and certification systems around the world. The document covers five broad topics: Natural Resources, People and the Community, Animal Health and Welfare, Food and Efficiency and Innovation. The document is said to have a good balance between people, planet and animals.
In January, 2014, McDonald's announced its goal of bringing sustainable beef to its restaurants in 2016. These Principles and Criteria will help the world's largest food company move forward with their goal.
From the GRSB website, "The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) is a multi-stakeholder initiative with representation across the value chain in beef production and consumption regions. Through the process of broad-based engagement and various internal and external reviews, the Principles and Criteria contained in this document were developed as a means to define sustainable beef in the context of the mission and vision of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef."
