CATTLE Australia has extended the feedback period for its land management commitment and deforestation definition, with grassfed producers given to the end of the month.

The organisation said it has extended the feedback deadline to June 30, with a webinar to be held at 5pm next Tuesday.

CA released an information paper on the document last week, which outlined a series of case studies showing what it believes is land management and a proposed definition and assessment framework for what is deforestation.

The work is being done in response to looming “deforestation-free” targets being set by large-supply chain companies and banks, along with deforestation aligned non-tariff trade barriers from the European Union.

Since releasing the document last week, CA has received criticism from several environmental organisations about its definition only applying to land that had been cleared before 1990. Greenpeace, the Wilderness Society and the Australian Conservation Foundation have been calling for regrowth 15 years and older to be protected.

Joining the list of organisations criticising the 1990 baseline is the World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund).

WWF Australia’s senior manager for sustainable agriculture Sharelle Polack while the organisation welcomed CA’s proactive work, it did not agree with the 1990 baseline.

“It’s simply not credible to be clearing 30-year-old trees while claiming this is deforestation-free,” said Ms Polack.

“These forests often provide homes to native animals and should be protected. In its current form, the consultation paper blurs the lines between what CA would like to see as requirements and what the markets are actually demanding.”

In some ways the market is demanding what the WWF is demanding companies to do.

WWF is a founding organisation of the Science Based Targets initiative, which has 3000 companies signed up and is requiring them to have deforestation-free commitments in place by next year. WWF is also a founding member of the Accountability Framework Initiative, which is aiming to set the standard of corporate environmental targets.

Ms Polack said the WWF believes it can work with the industry on meeting the deforestation targets, while allowing producers to manage land.

“While there are some issues to resolve, starting these conversations and seeking feedback is a step in the right direction.

“WWF believes there is a way forward where producers can undertake land management activities suitable for the unique Australian landscape while also meeting market requirements.

“Parts of the CA paper need further work to strike this balance.”

• To learn more about the land management commitment, send feedback or get involved in the webinar click here