Grass Fed Standard: benchmark for quality beef

Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, has introduced a national quality label for grass-fed Irish beef. This so-called Grass Fed Standard provides consumers with reliable information about the origin and living conditions of Irish cattle. The new standard is unique in the world, strongly based on scientific data and independently verified. With the Grass Fed Standard label on the beef packaging, consumers have the assurance that the beef comes from grass fed cows. The meat meets stringent grazing requirements: the animals spend an average of at least 220 days a year in Ireland's meadows and are fed a diet consisting of 90% grass. 

Grass-feeding reputation

Because of its temperate climate and strong farming heritage, Ireland has for many years had the reputation of being a country of first-class grass-fed beef. For many, 'grass-fed' is synonymous with 'naturally tasty' and 'nutritious'. Irish cattle get a lot of exercise, which is good for the texture and taste of the meat.

Padraig Brennan, Director Meat, Nutrition and Beverages at Bord Bia: "We developed the Grass Fed Standard as a direct response to the growing international demand from consumers and customers for premium, healthy and naturally produced beef. Thanks to the Grass Fed Standard and its associated logo, anyone working with grass-fed Irish beef can differentiate themselves towards consumers who demand clarity about the origin of beef". 

Scientific substantiation

Of the many thousands of cattle farms in Ireland, more than 50,000 are subject to the strict quality assurance system for sustainable beef, SBLAS. These farmers meet high standards of animal welfare, animal health, environmental protection and traceability. As part of SBLAS, data is collected on these farms during regular independent farm audits. This data provides the scientific substantiation that beef with the Grass Fed Standard quality label comes exclusively from cows that are guaranteed to be fed grass.     

irishfoodanddrink.com