CATTLE Australia and the National Farmers’ Federation have come out against a growing list of environmental groups who have been campaigning against the beef industry.
The latest has been the Australian Conservation Foundation, which today released a report labelling the food system is failing nature. It followed a report last week, which is covered in this Beef Central item today.
Environmental groups have been attacking some of the beef industry’s biggest supply chains in recent months, in a bid to get them to go above state vegetation management laws and commit to eliminating “deforestation” from their supply chains.
The ACF, the Wilderness Society, the WWF and Greenpeace have also been running fundraising campaigns off the back of their attacks on the industry.
National Farmers’ Federation president David Jochinke said the latest ACF report is an ill-informed swipe at farmers and food companies.
“Peddling this kind of ideology spreads harmful misinformation and completely ignores the facts,” Mr Jochinke said.
“Inflammatory language suggesting when people are just trying to feed their families, they’re contributing to wildlife extinction is extremely poor form. It’s a transparent attempt to line their fundraising coffers by beating up on household brands that buy from Aussie farmers.
“As custodians of more than half of Australia’s landmass, farmers play a central role in caring for and improving our natural environment – it’s in their best interests to do this and they do it on behalf of all Australians.
“Australia’s regulatory framework is some of the most stringent in the world, and we’re seeing clearing rates continue to drop further each year.
“Evidence shows in Queensland clearing has dropped 50pc year-on-year and 80pc of what is being cleared is repeat management of woody regrowth required to maintain a healthy biodiversity balance.”
CA says groups are cherry-picking science
CA chief executive officer Dr Chris Parker said the current campaign by eNGOs is further proof these groups have no interest in engaging with the sector or broadening their understanding of the science that accurately reflects the important role of Australian beef production.
“Creating outrage is fundamental to the business model of these groups; that’s how they get money from donors. We understand they need to have an enemy to create this outrage, however the cattle industry is not that enemy,” Dr Parker said.
“We’ve tried engaging with these groups, however they’ve made it clear to us, and the supply chain, it is their way or the highway.
“Unlike eNGOs, who are intolerant to alternate views and seemingly cherry-pick science or create their own, the Australian beef industry is committed to continually demonstrating and improving its performance through evidence-based metrics, to ensure we remain a world leader in this space.”
Cattle Australia CEO Dr Chris Parker
Dr Parker said the Australian beef industry plays an important role in food and nutritional security, contributes to the resilience of our communities and nation, and as custodians of more than 50 per cent of the country’s land mass, is proud to play a part in ensuring the sustainability and prosperity of our environment for generations to come.
“It is disappointing to see, yet again, eNGOs are more interested in peddling idealisms and misinformation than engaging in sensible and respectful discussions that will genuinely lead to greater outcomes for landscapes, animals, biodiversity, food security and communities throughout Australia and across the globe,” he said.
“Rather than waste time on the entirely unworkable ideologies purported by extreme groups, we would much prefer to engage in productive dialogue about the range of policies CA, and the wider industry, is working to implement.”
Dr Parker said well-managed and thriving natural resources and livestock production are not adversaries, but rather run hand-in-hand.
“There is a wealth of data showcasing this intrinsic link between healthy environments and the prosperity of agricultural business, and these ‘scorecards’ by eNGOs proclaiming Australian agriculture is failing nature do not account for the specific nuances of our industry,” he said.
“The wilful ignorance from environmental groups serves their purposes well, but does little to help the environment, despite positioning themselves as its ‘protector’.”
Dr Parker said you need only look at Australia’s vegetation management regulations, which are some of the strictest in the world, to find evidence of the industry’s commitment to the environment.
“The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization ranks Australia as second in the world for reforestation with an average net gain in forest area between 2010-2020 of 446,000 hectares per year,” Dr Parker said.
“Research by the University of Queensland (UQ) has shown 95% of Queensland’s koala population is found within beef cattle properties. This work clearly highlights that well managed landscapes contribute to sustainable conservation and, in this specific case, productive agriculture coexists with and supports healthy koala populations.
“Land management activities are also critical to managing natural disasters, as well as weeds, pests and diseases, to ensure the ecological health of our landscape and positive biodiversity outcomes.”
Most recently, independent data from the Queensland Government’s Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) showed in 2021-22 there was a decrease of 7pc in overall woody vegetation clearing activity across the state compared with the previous year.
They also reported a 64pc reduction in regulated vegetation clearing over a four-year period.
Dr Parker said this report shows it is possible to strike the right balance between conservation and agricultural production, and supports the beef industry’s land management practices.
“Australian beef producers prioritise their responsibility to care for natural resources and we absolutely stand behind our sustainability credentials and commitment to continual improvement, as evidenced by the gains we consistently make across a range of environmental measures,” Dr Parker said.
“We are committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcomes for environment, animals and people.
“If eNGOs truly want to fight for our climate and communities together, it’s time they made the same commitment.”
Source: NFF and Cattle Australia