INDUSTRY groups are calling on European Union accredited cattle producers to urgently opt into a new LPA geolocation tool, warning that a significant proportion of the current EU cattle supply is at risk of becoming ineligible for export to the EU from 31 December 2025.

From 1 January 2026, beef and other bovine products exported to the EU will be required to provide lifetime geolocation data of the source cattle used in each consignment.

As Beef Central reported yesterday, the regulations are likely to hit the supply chain a lot earlier, with cattle entering feedlots and backgrounding programs in the coming months needing the data behind them.

To support producers to meet this requirement, which is part of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Australian Meat Industry Council and other red meat bodies have worked with the industry’s Integrity Systems Company to develop a purpose-built geolocation ‘pull-through’ tool.

To meet EUDR requirements, cattle must come from Property Identification Codes that have voluntarily opted into the system and shared their geolocation data.

In a joint AMIC, Cattle Australia and Australian Lot Feeders Association statement released today, AMIC chief executive Tim Ryan says AMIC members report that adoption has been slow, with less than 20pc of EU cattle currently being presented having the requisite data available. This is creating concerns of pending future disruptions to trade, due to lack of availability of EU-eligible cattle.

“We need a much higher rate of uptake and quickly if we are to maintain continuity of access for Australian beef to the EU and ensure that EU-accredited farms don’t risk their investment in EU-eligibility.”

“While participation in the system is voluntary, the implications of non-participation are clear: cattle from PICs that have not shared geolocation data will not be eligible for EU market access, likely impacting their ability to access any EU-eligible grid premiums,” Mr Ryan said.

He said due to the time it takes to produce beef from paddock to plate; the Australian processing industry is urging all European Union Cattle Accreditation Scheme (EUCAS) producers to act now to maintain access to this high-value market.

“While we are still six months out from the hard deadline, the fact is that feedlots and processors are already looking to source cattle for meat production that will be exported to the EU in 2026 and beyond,” Mr Ryan said.

Cattle Australia chief executive Dr Chris Parker said industry representative bodies had succeeded in guaranteeing ongoing market access to the EU, which now rates Australia as ‘low risk’ for deforestation.

“Ongoing market access was a hard-fought win for the Australian grass-fed beef industry, which worked closely with the Australian government to demonstrate to the EU our credentials as responsible environmental managers of close to 50pc of Australia’s land mass,” Dr Parker said.

Australian Lot Feeders’ Association CEO Christian Mulders said the EU was an important trading partner for Australian grain fed beef, and meeting the EUDR geolocation data requirements would be essential to our ongoing access to this market.

“The red meat industry, through Integrity Systems Company, has developed a practical geolocation tool to help the supply chain meet these requirements. ALFA encourages EUCAS-accredited feedlot operators, and their suppliers, to take the necessary steps and opt in to this system to ensure their cattle remain eligible for EU supply chains.”

“Our shared success in accessing premium international markets like the EU depends on all parts of the supply chain working together to meet evolving requirements,” Mr Mulders said.

EUCAS producers are encouraged to login to their LPA account through myMLA and share geolocation for Land Management & EU to ensure they can continue to meet market requirements.

Source: ALFA, CA and AMIC