Organic beef production = sustainable beef production? : an analysis of key sustainability criteria in the sector

Abstract: Organic production of beef is viewed as one strategy to mitigate negative externalities deriving from beef production. This study seeks to characterize key attributes of production among organic and conventional beef producers in Skåne, Sweden. The goal is to understand the extent to which their differentiation as organic or conventional is based on the practices which make them semantically different. Few previous studies have questioned the basis for the characterization and differentiation of the systems. This study is carried out through the lens of the quadruple bottom line, meaning that not only the triple bottom line values of environmental, economic and social sustainability but also animal welfare is considered. Previous studies have insufficiently treated these four pillars of sustainability separately and failed to address the combined effects of beef production on the environment, human health, animal welfare, and economic revenues for the producer. A cross-sectional approach with multiple cases chosen by purposeful sampling was used to enable the comparative approach this research. By comparing different meat production systems in Skåne, it became clear that there is not a dichotomy between organic and conventional meat production systems. Instead, this research shows that there is a continuum, and that there is no strong basis for the development and application of policies based solely on the semantic distinction of meat production. This finding implicates that other bases for policies need to be considered to enable sustainable meat production in Sweden. By not only incorporating all three pillars of sustainability but going beyond by including animal welfare in a quadruple bottom line, policies with a true holistic approach are suggested.