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New Zealand Beef Industry Faces Stringent Deforestation Rules

Wellington, NZ – The New Zealand beef industry is grappling with new, stringent regulations aimed at preventing the export of beef from farms that have engaged in deforestation. These rules, which require meticulous tracking of animal movements and land use, are set to significantly impact record-keeping and farm management practices across the sector.

The core of the challenge lies in accurately understanding and documenting the conversion of land and the subsequent movements of animals. Under the new framework, every beef consignment must be accompanied by a due diligence statement. This statement will meticulously monitor each Nait tag, every animal, and its journey through the New Zealand landscape, including its grazing process and whether it has traversed land from which forests have been removed.

Record-keeping requirements are substantial, with data needing to be retained for five years, presenting a “reasonably onerous obligation” for all involved. initial modeling indicates that as of October 2024, approximately 14,000 hectares of beef production farmland have experienced forest removal, affecting around 1600 farms registered with Nait.The primary drivers for forest removal identified in the modeling were pine rotation, followed by woodlots and then shelterbelts. Of particular concern is the removal of indigenous forest. The modeling revealed that 32 hectares of indigenous forest have been removed, impacting 24 farms. This specific figure has been highlighted as a critical area of focus, as it breaches European rules.

Farmers on land deemed to have been deforested will be required to prove to Prism, the relevant authority, that the tree removal was not for the purpose of converting the land for agricultural use.Lythe,a representative involved in the implementation,suggested that farmers can mitigate risks by employing fencing or other control measures to prevent cattle from entering deforested areas. They can also demonstrate that tree removal was undertaken for reasons such as animal welfare, erosion control, health and safety, or conservation and biodiversity protection.

The New Zealand Deforestation Map, which will be updated annually, is scheduled for an update before December. Following this, the Meat Industry Association is expected to engage with the broader sector to ensure compliance and understanding of these new regulations.