Analysis confirms 99% of Queensland cattle clearing occurs in threatened species habitat
A new spatial analysis of deforestation and land clearing in Queensland reveals that 99% of all clearing for cattle grazing between 2018 and 2022 occurred in mapped threatened species habitat. The findings confirm that pasture expansion for beef is placing koalas, gliders, turtles and other native wildlife under escalating pressure.
Using the Queensland Government's Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS), geospatial analysts at the Wilderness Society combined vegetation change data with land use information (QVAS) to identify drivers of deforestation. In 2021–22 alone, grazing-related clearing affected 271 threatened species, including 28 listed as critically endangered.
This is clear evidence that deforestation for pasture remains one of the leading threats to biodiversity in Australia. Regenerating forests at least 15 years old, remnant forests and Reef catchments are all affected by deforestation.
Nearly all of the vegetation destroyed meets Australian and UNFAO definitions of "forest," meaning the recent destruction linked to beef production constitutes 'deforestation' and is at risk of non-compliance under the EU Deforestation Regulation and other emerging global standards. Just 10% of land parcels caused all deforestation linked to beef production in 2021–22.
With biodiversity in crisis and international rules tightening, the Wilderness Society is calling on all actors in the beef supply chain—from producers to retailers, including Coles and Woolworths—to implement science-based policies to eliminate conversion–including deforestation–from their supply chains by the end of 2025.
Hannah Schuch, Queensland Campaigns Manager, Wilderness Society, said, "This research confirms that species like Guula/Koalas and Tunuba/Fitzroy River turtles are losing their habitat for beef production at industrial scale.
"Over the last 4 years, greater gliders have lost nearly 400,000 hectares due to deforestation for beef. Companies like Coles and Woolworths have a real opportunity to help reverse Australia's extinction crisis—by committing to deforestation-free beef."
Provided by Wilderness Society
