SASKATOON – The move by Vancouver-based restaurant chain Earls to use Certified Humane beef is causing a stir in Western Canada, with some planning to boycott the chain which will now source it’s steaks from the U.S.

The company says that there was no Canadian beef supplier that could meet their demand of Certified Humane beef. The certification calls for cattle that are raised without the use of antibiotics, steroids or added hormones, and slaughtered according to the specifications of animal welfare expert Dr. Temple Grandin.

READ MORE: Vancouver-based Earls moves to U.S. supplier for beef, cites humane meat policy

Eric Micheels, a professor of agriculture University of Saskatchewan, says this might not just be a fad.

“Within the beef market I think we’ve seen consumer studies that have shown that consumers value these types of attributes for a number of years, 15 to 20 years now, so I think that trend is consistent and it’s probably growing.”

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: Earls restaurant moves to Humane Certified beef – what is it and is it healthier?

Earls says they will switch to a Canadian supplier if they can produce enough beef under the certification.

Our question for you today, will you be boycotting Earls over their change in beef?

Be sure to comment with your thoughts and watch Global Saskatoon Morning News at 7:55 a.m. CT to see if we pull up your comment.

With files from Andrew Russell