Wilderness Society calls on Coles to deliver on deforestation-free beef pledge

Emily Dickson, Queensland Campaigns Manager for the Wilderness Society, said: 

“Coles promised to tackle deforestation in its beef supply chain, but a year on that promise is yet to be delivered.

“Coles has a clear responsibility to ensure the beef they sell isn’t driving the destruction of Australia’s forest and bushland.

“We welcome Coles’ commitment to work collaboratively with industry, government and environmental groups to find solutions. But customers deserve more than a promise, they deserve a clear, timebound plan to make beef deforestation-free. 

“The Wilderness Society is calling on Coles to provide timebound plans for full deforestation-free verification across its entire beef supply chain, rather than relying on voluntary supplier opt-ins. Coles must provide a timebound plan to implement lifetime beef traceability beyond just the last place of consignment.

“Australia is a globally recognised deforestation hotspot, and agriculture remains the biggest driver of forest and bushland destruction in Queensland and across Australia - with the majority of the destruction for beef pastures.”

Coles has enormous purchasing power and should use it to drive better outcomes. The Wilderness Society is calling on the federal government to take the lead in tackling deforestation across Australian supply chains.

Emily Dickson continued, “The federal government needs to set a clear target and roadmap to end deforestation in Australian supply chains, backed by urgent investment in national deforestation monitoring, early detection and agricultural traceability.

“Farm-to-fork traceability is essential to prove sustainability, protect nature and safeguard market access for Australian producers."