WITH environmental groups consistently accusing the cattle industry of cutting down forests and supply chains making “deforestation-free” promises, a group of Central Queensland producers have come together to show why trees need to be managed.

Europe is set to ban the import of goods linked to deforestation at the end of this year and supply chains like Woolworths and McDonald’s have made similar pledges to start in the next decade.

But the producers who would see the most impact from supply chains limiting their market access are also the ones who appear to have had the least say in the debate over deforestation.

Led by David Hill from Clarkewood Station at Clarke Creek, a group of Central Qld producers have been trying to pull the industry together to support them in explaining the importance of managing landscapes.

They recently took a group of industry leaders, including Meat & Livestock Australia board members Jack Holden and Russell Lethbridge and Net Zero CRC CEO Richard Heath, to Bev and Peter Quinn’s Essex Station, near Middlemount.

“It is an emotive argument, you can’t blame people for feeling the way they do if they don’t have the alternative put in front of them,” Mr Hill said.

“We believe we have a positive story to tell and we need to be telling it. Otherwise, you are going to see the footage saying ‘red meat kills koalas’ when there is evidence to say koalas can thrive co-habiting with grazing animals and we have been able to somewhat demonstrate that on our property.”

• Beef Central will have more from the recent Essex Station field day in coming days.
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