Meat from semi-natural pastures - Grazing on semi-natural pastures - beef
Level: Spearhead
The management of semi-natural pastures is important to rich biological diversity and contributes, amongst other things, to the A Varied Agricultural Landscape and A Rich Diversity of Plant and Animal Life environmental objectives. Contracting authorities that procure meat from semi-natural pastures contribute to the continued preservation of those pasture grounds, as well as an increased biological diversity.
Details
- Type:
- Technical specification
- ID:
- 10769:1
- Group:
- Beef
Criterion text
Beef must be derived from animals that have had outdoor access and access to pasture troughout the whole day during the grazing season.
For at least half of the grazing period, animals must graze on semi-natural pastures—that is, natural grasslands that have not been fertilised (apart from the natural dung of the grazing animals), ploughed, watered or worked with machines for at least 20 years.
Verification
Upon request the supplier shall be ready to present, for example, one of the following:
- Certification that meets the requirement, e.g., IP Sigill nöt tillval naturbeteskött [IP Sigill beef, meat from semi-natural pastures option].
Proposed follow-up
Monitoring of compliance during the contract period can for example be done through sampling at one or several occasions of one or several products for which the criterion applies. The supplier can prove that the product(s) meet the requirement through, e.g,:
- Product labelling, e.g., Svenskt Sigill naturbeteskött.
- Other documentation showing that the requirement is met.
Subject matter of contract
Products of beef with environmental and animal protection criteria
Information about the criterion
The regulations of the Swedish Board of Agriculture SJVFS 2019:18 chapter 6, sections 4-7 state the minimum number of days that animals must be kept on pasture or otherwise allowed to spend time outdoors during the summer. In northern Sweden, the minimum is 60 days; in central Sweden, 90 days; and in southern Sweden, it is 120 days. Half the grazing-period therefore means a minimum of 30 days, but varies depending on where the grazing takes place.
The product range for meat from semi-natural pastures is limited, especially composite products. Meat from semi-natural pastures is sold mostly as fresh or frozen cuts or minced meat.
Environmental goals
Motive
Grass-fed livestock graze at least half of the pasturage period on semi-natural pastures and, during the winter period, are for the most part raised on roughage. Natural pasture livestock graze on land that is never ploughed or harvested. Semi-natural pasture is land that is continuously used for grazing over a long period of time (at least 20-30 years, but often hundreds of years). As a result of the grazing activity, this land has produced very species-rich flora and fauna. The grass that is mowed down by the animals allows insects and butterflies to thrive, which in turn creates excellent conditions for many birds, butterflies and pollinating insects.
Versions history
The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.
- Current ID
- 10769:1
- Version date
- 2020-03-25
2020-03-25: Text is changed to include the definition of semi-natural from the Pasture beef assosiation of Sweden "Naturbete Sverige" and the criteria from certification schemes of pasture beef. The criterion is added to product group beef and change level from base level to spearhead.