Context

Environmental concerns surround the meat, milk and dairy products sector due to its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and biodiversity loss related to feed imports, among other major environmental issues. Its key role and contribution to achieving sustainable development goals have also been identified. In response to social demands, livestock farmers and the meat and dairy products industry have sought ways to measure, reduce and raise awareness of the environmental footprint of their products. However, the absence of regulation has meant that the results and eco-labels that have been produced for communication purposes are not comparable with each other. Consumers consequently have difficulty understanding the wide range of eco-labels found in the market, and with using the information as a criterion for their purchases, and producers are therefore calling for ways to objectively and fairly identify green products to deal with false eco-labelling. Given this situation, there is a need for an environmental footprint measurement methodology based on scientific knowledge that inspires confidence. This need has also been identified by the European Commission, which has launched an initiative to standardise the measurement of the environmental footprint of products (abbreviated to PEF in English). The PEF is currently in the testing phase, and will be implemented in policies in 2023. The RUMPRINT operational group (OG) was created to evaluate the suitability of the PEF guidelines for companies in Catalonia's local beef sector, to prepare the sector for compliance with future European environmental regulations, and to make progress in environmental competitiveness in a globalised market.