LANDHOLDER groups and regional politicians have condemned an activist advertising campaign in South Korea accusing Australian beef production of destroying the Great Barrier Reef, saying it unfairly and misleadingly attacks Australian cattle producers in one of the nation’s most important beef export markets.

An image from the campaign posted to instagram.

Groups including the Australian Conservation Foundation and Mighty Earth targeted a recent UNESCO meeting in Busan with subway advertising, bus billboards and a blimp carrying the slogan “I’m killin’ it with Aussie Beef” alongside imagery of bleached coral and McDonald’s iconic arches.

News Limited reported that the campaign in the city of three million people coincided with a UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan from July 20-29, where delegates met to assess the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

Despite the activist campaign, the committee upheld a draft decision not to place the Great Barrier Reef on the “in danger” list,  saying it noted continuing concerns over climate change, water quality and coral bleaching, but also acknowledged Australia’s ongoing investment in reef management.

Property Rights Australia spokesperson Dale Stiller described the campaign as a “scurrilous and malicious” attack on Australian beef producers, farming families, tourism operators and the fishing industry.

“This needs to be called out and stopped,” Mr Stiller said.

He said the 2022 Reef Scientific Consensus Statement found suspended sediment carried in river runoff largely settled in inshore reefs, river mouths and coastal wetlands, with more than 83 percent of coral reefs located on the mid and outer shelf.

“These fanatical environmental groups should end up in court and their charity status revoked over their claims about the Great Barrier Reef and beef cattle,” Mr Stiller said.

“They purposely fail to mention that farmers are subjected to strong environmental laws, are monitored by satellite and investigated for any possible infringement; even for a small area of bare ground. Farmers can only manage regrowth vegetation on land that has been cleared before.”

Mr Stiller also argued the campaign failed to acknowledge the significant investment made by Australian governments and producers over almost two decades in programs aimed at improving groundcover and reducing sediment runoff, including the Australian Government’s Reef Program.

He also said renewable energy infrastructure developments were not subject to the same vegetation management or reef protection requirements that apply to industries including cattle production.

“The people of South Korea can be assured they can continue to enjoy Australian beef products and to come and visit a spectacularly resilient Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Still said.

Senator Susan McDonald also criticised the campaign on social media, saying that accusing farmers and graziers of harming the environment was “lazy and wrong” and calling on activists to stop targeting Australian food producers.