Ban on deforestation products delayed in a win for Aussie beef

Proposed legislation that would ban EU imports produced on deforested land has been delayed. Here’s how the decision could affect Australian agriculture.

A stay of execution has been granted for the Australian cattle industry and deforestation-free products, as the European Commission delays a ban on imported products deemed to be driving deforestation.

It comes after countries across the globe voiced concerns for the land management commitment, with Australia working to solidify land use definitions in an Australian context.

The European Commission proposed on Wednesday a 12-month delay on implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which would ban a range of goods including coffee, cocoa, timber, cattle, printing paper and rubber, if produced using land that was deforested after December 2020, and was due to take effect at the end of 2024.

Cattle Australia chief executive Chris Parker said the 12-month delay would provide both industry and government an opportunity to solidify definitions of agriculture land in an Australian context, with the aim to be compliant with the legislation upon implementation.

“There was a high degree of uncertainty … this 12-month extension gives us an opportunity to further clarify with the EU and the supple chain. The main issues we’ve had has been with definitions,” Dr Parker said.

“Within the legislation, there’s an exemption for agricultural land … as part of the work we did with the land management commitment is worked hard across supply chains on the definitions of agricultural land, and we see this as key. There’s still uncertainty how they’ll apply predominantly agricultural land in the legislation, and that’s what we’ve been concerned about.”

Cattle Australia chief executive Chris Parker said the pause on the legislation was good news for the industry. Picture: Supplied

According to Cattle Australia’s land management commitment definitions, agricultural land is

defined and demonstrated under the National Australian Land Use Management Classification, while forest means an area of land dominated by trees having a stand height exceeding two metres and crown cover of 20 per cent or more, excluding land predominantly under agricultural use, including the grazing of livestock.

It is understood the EU’s top executive body postponed the ban after pressure from trading partners in key markets such as Brazil and the United State regarding the varying state of preparedness.

Dr Parker said it was important to articulate how agricultural land was used in Australia to graze cattle and raise beef, within the context of other nations.

“We’ve grazed cattle under trees in this country for generations, and it’s the primacy of agricultural land,” Dr Parker said.

“I think we can make a very strong case that we comply easily.”

Cattle Australia will focus their efforts in the coming year on working alongside the Federal government to strengthen advocacy for Australia’s land management commitment, Dr Parker said.