Urgent Calls for Deforestation Compliance in Australia’s Beef Industry
One of Greenpeace’s examples of recent deforestation in Queensland. Photo: Greenpeace
As discussions surrounding deforestation policies intensify in Europe and among major supermarkets, Australian beef producers find themselves under increasing pressure. Recent communications from various industry groups have emphasized the urgent need for producers to engage with a geolocation system, as the possibility of losing access to the valuable European market looms large.
Major retailers like Coles and Woolworths have signaled their intent to pursue comprehensive traceability measures to support their deforestation policies. Environmental organizations, including the Australian Conservation Foundation, are further advocating for transparency, urging the government to ensure that the locations of producers are accessible to all consumers.
Industry Perspectives on Deforestation Compliance
The Integrity Systems Company (ISC), which is backed by industry stakeholders, launched a geolocation tool in preparation for Europe’s impending ban on products linked to deforestation, set to take effect on December 31 of this year. European authorities have made it clear that beef importers will be required to provide verifiable geolocation coordinates from their suppliers.
These coordinates must be submitted to the European Commission during audits to verify compliance and ascertain whether deforestation has occurred. Additionally, importers are expected to present proof that their customers are adhering to national laws.
Geolocation System and Privacy Considerations
Under the agreement established by Cattle Australia (CA), the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA), and the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) with ISC, the geolocation system was designed to align with regulatory requirements while prioritizing producer privacy. ISC’s Chief Executive Officer, Jo Quigley, stated, “The system provides the coordinates without linking them to any personal or property details, thereby maintaining privacy.”
Since its launch, CA, ALFA, and AMIC have been actively encouraging Australian producers to adopt this system, stressing the importance of compliance as the deadline for hides approaches.
Demands from Europe
Europe has laid down the law: all beef imports must be accompanied by geolocation data. As a low-risk country, Australia will have only 1% of its imports audited compared to higher percentages for medium and high-risk countries.
Despite this, not all stakeholders are in favor of the new regulations. The European Parliament has recently considered establishing a “negligible risk” category that could apply to countries with stable forest areas. Both Cattle Australia and the Federal Government advocate for Australia’s inclusion in this category.
Government Engagement and Industry Concerns
The Australian Government is actively engaging with the European Commission, seeking to simplify regulations to alleviate the burdens on Australian exporters. A spokesperson from the agriculture department outlined, “The Government continues to engage with the European Commission…”
Supermarkets’ Stance on Traceability
While Coles and Woolworths have expressed intentions to achieve deforestation-free status, their exact requirements regarding access to the geolocation tool remain unclear. Coles recently announced their commitment to this goal but pointed out the lack of access to the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Environmental organizations have called for increased access to the NLIS for consumers, suggesting that government funding should be conditional upon this accessibility. Conversely, Cattle Australia has raised concerns about the implications of opening the NLIS database for the purposes of deforestation compliance.
As the industry continues to navigate these complexities, calls for transparency and responsible environmental practices are increasingly resonating among producers, consumers, and stakeholders alike. The coming months will be critical for the future of Australia’s beef industry, shaping the landscape as compliance deadlines approach.
