AUSTRALIA has been declared a “low risk” country in the European Union’s ban on the import of goods linked to deforestation, meaning beef being exported to the EU will have a simplified due diligence process.

The new regulations in the EU have been on the table for years and, after a few delays, they are expected to come into force at the end of this year – meaning cattle entering feedlots in July are likely to need to comply.

In a document released this week, the European Commission declared Australia and most other countries in the world a “low risk” of deforestation.

Only four countries (Belarus, North Korea, Myanmar and Russia) have been declared high risk, while dozens of countries that have come under scrutiny for their deforestation record (including Brazil and Indonesia) have been declared a standard risk.

“A large majority of countries worldwide will be classified as low risk, giving the opportunity to focus collective efforts and resources to protect forests in those geographic areas where deforestation challenges are more acute, creating achievable targets for countries that need improvement and reducing costs for operators,” the commission said.

While the information needed from Australian beef exporters is still unclear, the European Commission says the “low risk” classification means there will be simplified due diligence obligations for operators and traders,

“This means that they need to collect information for due diligence purposes, but not assess and mitigate risks,” the paper said.

All countries exporting certain commodities, including beef, to the EU started as standard risk countries before the majority were downgraded after assessment.

There three paths to the low risk identification:

• Consideration whether there was a net forest loss between 2015 and 2020
• Consideration of whether forest loss was below a certain threshold
• Countries that have no expansion of the agricultural land associated with the EUDR crop commodities, no increase in the level of production of timber and cattle commodities and no expansion of overall agricultural land are classified as low risk.

Debate over Australian deforestation

Europe’s deforestation laws have been the source of considerable debate over the last two years, with Cattle Australia working with a range of supply chain partners to put together a definition of deforestation and a land management commitment highlighting the importance of land management in Australia and the complex regulatory environment.

The Australian Government has also been campaigning for Australia to be put in Europe’s low risk category.

Cattle Australia CEO Dr Chris Parker

Cattle Australia chief executive officer Chris Parker said the organisation, alongside the Government, had worked hard to put the case forward to the EU. He said the low risk classification was an endorsement to the Australian beef industry’s approach to land management.

“It is incredibly pleasing that the EU has recognised the unique environmental conditions that our cattle industry operates under and the responsible approach our farmers take to their land,” Dr Parker said.

“Cattle producers manage 50pc of Australia’s land mass and export 70pc of their beef – they play a vital role in environmental management and global food security.

“Our farmers take these dual responsibilities very seriously – in fact, Australian cattle producers spend $5.3 billion annually in managing invasive plants, pests and diseases, which are the number one issue impacting biodiversity loss in Australia.”

Dr Parker said Australian land management should be regulated by the Australian Government.

“Cattle Australia strongly believes the Australian industry and the Australian legislative structures are the most appropriate means for setting and enforcing land management standards,” Dr Parker said.

“CA has worked proactively with the beef supply chain to demonstrate our environmental credentials to markets all over the world by embedding key elements of our Land Management Commitment within a single set of recording and reporting standards.”

Patrick Hutchinson, chair of the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework, also welcomed the classification outcome.

“This is a positive reflection of our strong sustainability credentials, and we will continue to support the industry through objective measurement of forests, woodlands, and grasslands within our industry,” Mr Hutchinson said.

Environmental groups have been pushing for the EU to regulate Australian beef exports through the laws. That campaign appears to be continuing with the Wilderness Society putting out a press release today denouncing the low risk classification.

“The EU’s decision to list Australia as ‘low risk’ for deforestation is utter nonsense,” manager for corporate engagement and advocacy group the Wilderness Society, Adele Chasson said.

“It ignores the facts, and rewards Australia’s atrocious deforestation track record with a free pass.”