Earls Restaurants Reinstates Canadian Beef After Outcry

CANADA - Canadian restaurant chain Earls Restaurants has reinstated Canadian beef on menus after an outcry over its removal from customers and beef producers.
calendar icon 5 May 2016
clock icon 2 minute read

The chain said last week it would switch to a beef supplier in Kansas, after it was unable to source the large volumes of beef they needed under a 'Certified Humane' label in Canada.

However, in its latest statement, the company reversed its decision and said it will be working with local farms to build a supply of Alberta beef that meets their criteria.

“We made a mistake when we moved away from Canadian beef,” said Earls President, Mo Jessa.

“We want to make this right. We want Canadian beef back on our menus so we are going to work with local ranchers to build our supply of Alberta beef that meets our criteria.

“We have deep roots in Alberta. We started in Edmonton and we have many operations and employees here. Alberta has supported us. We need to support Alberta, especially in tough times.

"We moved to a US supplier as we thought they could supply all of our needs. It was a mistake not to include Canadian beef,” said Mr Jessa.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) said it believes the apology issued today by Earls is a good first step.

"We appreciate their effort to reach out to industry and now encourage Earls to participate in the sustainability discussion through the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef," the organisation said.

Alberta Beef Producers said it was pleased with the development and appreciated the effort that Earls made to meet with representatives of ABP, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Canada Beef, and the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).

"We hope Earls will participate in the sustainability discussions at the CRSB and move toward using a Canadian verification that will enable them to serve more Canadian and Alberta beef," ABP said in a statement.

The organisation also thanked the people of Alberta for their support of Alberta Beef and Alberta cattle and beef producers, and consumers for their loyalty.

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