Trish Sahlstrom, vice-president of purchasing and
distribution for A&W, walked into the lion’s den of farmers attending the
annual meeting of Manitoba Beef Producers this week, defending the chain’s
decision to reject beef raised with the help of antibiotics, steroids and
hormones.
“In recent years the beef industry has been inundated with
bad-news stories and we find consumers reluctant to choose beef,” she told the
farmers.
“When asked what was important when choosing beef, the top
three consumer responses were no hormones, no steroids and no antibiotics.”
And so A&W made its decision based on consumer
preferences with no regard for the science establishing the safety and efficacy
of using hormones, steroids and antibiotics.
Sahlstrom participated in a panel discussion and fielded
some tough questions, reports Jennifer Paige of the Manitoba Cooperator.
Provincial politician and beef farmer Cliff Graydon said “I
would hope this is a matter of being misinformed and that you are not knowingly
putting the entire industry at risk for financial gain.”
“I feel that as a corporate citizen you should educate
consumers that not everything is bad for them,” Graydon said.
A&W launched its ‘Better Beef’ campaign in September,
2013, promising clients that the beef served would have no hormones or
steroids, and antibiotics would be administered for therapeutic use only.
For more on public opinions about farming, see the next two items.
