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The Australian Conservation Foundation has welcomed Woolworths’ announcement today that it will stop selling beef linked to deforestation, in accordance with the Science-based Targets Initiative.
“No one sells more beef to Australians than Woolworths, so this commitment has enormous implications for nature and for people who want to make sustainable food choices,” said ACF’s nature and business lead Nathaniel Pelle.
“Australia is an international deforestation hotspot, but that problem is being driven by a small number of operators.
“While most graziers are not engaged in broadscale bulldozing of bushland, Australians can’t choose deforestation-free beef because supermarkets don’t differentiate.
“With this commitment, which follows a similar commitment from Aldi, that is changing.
“Australian consumers will soon be able to buy beef knowing they are supporting farmers who protect forests and woodland on their properties.”
Koalas need mature trees to live in. Threatened species like red-tailed black cockatoos need tree hollows to nest in – these only form in trees that are decades old.
Our food systems rely on the health of the natural world. Not acting to end deforestation has consequences for farmers, shareholders, nature and ultimately our food security.
“It is disappointing Coles is dragging the chain on this and will continue to turn a blind eye to nature destruction linked to its supply chains,” Mr Pelle said.
“A completely deforestation-free Australian beef industry is entirely possible, but it requires all the big players to take action.”
Aldi’s commitment goes further than Woolworths by ruling out the destruction of all ecosystems including native bushland (‘conversion free’), not just forests.
ACF, Greenpeace and the Wilderness Society published guidance this year that outlines what is required for Australian corporate deforestation commitments to align with global frameworks.
The Science-based Targets Initiative (SBTi), one of the world’s most influential corporate target-setting standards, requires all food and agriculture companies to commit to zero deforestation by 2025 to retain a valid SBTi net zero target.
ACF was responding to an announcement by Woolworths in its Annual Sustainability Report which was released on August 28.
A Woolworths Group Spokesperson said: “We are committed to sourcing beef sustainably in partnership with our farmers and suppliers. We believe our no deforestation goal will help promote the already strong sustainability credentials of Australian red meat.
“We expect all our suppliers to adhere to all Federal and state land management laws. We support the development of a localised definition which recognises Australia’s unique landscape and vegetation, while ensuring responsible land management.”
According to Woolworths:
Woolworths accounts for just 7 per cent of all beef processed in Australia annually. Woolworths has updated its existing ‘net zero’ deforestation goal to aim for ‘no deforestation’ in the supply chain for paper, pulp & timber, palm oil, cocoa, soy and fresh beef, with a target date of December 2025.
