Grass-fed livestock farming's official seal of approval granted
British Farmers Introduce 'Pasture for Life' Certification for Grass-Fed Meat
A new certification mark, 'Pasture for Life (PFL)', is now lawful and available for use by certified beef and sheep farmers across the UK. This certification ensures that the meat produced comes from animals that have been fed exclusively on pasture throughout their entire lives, offering a guarantee of authenticity and superior nutritional quality.
The PFL standards are designed to distinguish 100% grass-fed meat from intensive, grain-fed systems. The key elements of the certification include high animal welfare, pasture-based natural feeding, wildlife-friendly fields, rigorous farm inspections, a certification process involving self-assessment and external auditing, and a traceability system through QR codes.
The PFL standards maintain high standards of animal welfare, ensuring that no grain, maize, soya, or any other non-pasture feedstuffs are fed to ruminants. This approach is consistent with the animals' evolutionary adaptations, promoting a natural diet and contributing to their well-being.
The health benefits for consumers are substantial. Grass-fed beef contains up to three times more Omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef, which have positive effects on preventing depression, cancer, and lowering blood pressure, contributing to overall improved human health. Additionally, feeding animals solely on pasture benefits biodiversity and carbon sequestration, indirectly supporting environmental health.
The 'Pasture for Life' Certification Mark has been approved by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the official UK government body responsible for patents, designs, and trademarks. This approval means that consumers can now easily identify genuine 100% grass-fed meat, as certified farmers and butchers can use the 'Pasture for Life' logo when marketing their meat.
Consumer interest in 100% grass-fed meat is growing, with some retailers now offering grass-fed lines. Anna Heaton, chair of the PFLA's Certification Committee, stated that the approval of the 'Pasture for Life' Certification Mark comes at a time of increasing demand from consumers looking for health benefits in meat from animals that have only ever had grass and pasture during their lifetime.
The PFLA recently appointed independent inspection body Acoura to carry out farm inspections in line with the 'Pasture for Life' standards. This move ensures the rigorous enforcement of the standards and the continued commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and high animal welfare.
In summary, the 'Pasture for Life' certification guarantees that beef and lamb are produced on pasture-only diets, verified by inspection and traceability, and the resulting meat offers superior nutritional profiles with documented human health benefits. This system also promotes biodiversity and sustainable farming practices in the UK.
