--- title: Why is it important to have a Deforestation-Free Beef Credential? description: The Deforestation-Free Beef Credential is a market access facilitator - ensuring your business is ready to sell to buyers both domestically and internationally with deforestation-free commitments. --- [Skip to content](https://help.agriprove.io/what-is-the-deforestation-free-beef-credential#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![AgriProve Logo reverse W1200px-1.png\]](https://help.agriprove.io/hs-fs/hubfs/AgriProve%20Logo%20reverse%20W1200px-1.png?height=47&name=AgriProve%20Logo%20reverse%20W1200px-1.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - agriprove.io agriprove.io G'day. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Centre](https://help.agriprove.io/?hsLang=en) 2. [AgriProve Credentials](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-credentials?hsLang=en) 3. [Deforestation-Free Beef](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-credentials?hsLang=en#deforestation-free-beef) # Why is it important to have a Deforestation-Free Beef Credential? ## The Deforestation-Free Beef Credential is a market access facilitator - ensuring your business is ready to sell to buyers both domestically and internationally with deforestation-free commitments. ### Deforestation-free beef: what markets are asking for (EUDR & AFi explained) #### Why this matters now (Australia) “Coles’ announcement … **sends a strong signal to the entire industry** that deforestation must be taken seriously.” — Greenpeace Australia Pacific. [Greenpeace Australia Pacific](https://www.greenpeace.org.au/news/fight-for-forests-far-from-over-as-coles-releases-deforestation-free-commitment/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **EU rule begins for large operators this December.** The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is due to **apply from 30 Dec 2025** for medium/large companies (SMEs mid-2026). The **obligations and the 31-Dec-2020 cut-off remain**—and EU buyers are preparing now. If you can’t hand them plot geolocation plus proof of no post-2020 clearing, you risk delays or being parked when orders take place. [Reuters+2Tax News+2](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/eu-envoys-agree-implementation-delay-deforestation-law-2024-10-16/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **Retail pull-through at home.** Coles has **formally committed** to source deforestation-free beef and published its forests statement (including the forest definition it will use). NGOs welcomed the move as an industry signal. Woolworths said it would sell **deforestation-free beef from December 2025**; subsequent NGO scrutiny has only increased buyer attention on **clear, verifiable evidence**. Expect “plot-level proof” to become a normal ask in domestic programs, not just exports. [ABC+4Beef Central+4Coles Group+4](https://www.beefcentral.com/news/coles-formally-announces-pledge-for-deforestation-free-beef/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) **Bottom line:** having **plot-level proof of no post-2020 clearing** keeps you easy to buy from—both for EU-aligned exports and Australian retail programs. --- #### What is the EUDR? The **EU Deforestation Regulation** requires importers to prove listed commodities (including **beef**) are **deforestation-free** and **traceable to geolocated plots**. **Cut-off date:** **31 December 2020** (forest cleared after this date is out). **Application timing:** **30 Dec 2025** for medium/large operators; **30 Jun 2026** for SMEs. **What EU buyers will ask you for (in practice):** - Geolocation to the **plots** supplying the cattle, - Evidence of **no clearing after 31-Dec-2020** on those plots, - **Traceability** linking sale animals to those plots, and - A **documentation pack** they can file for due diligence. [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/eu-envoys-agree-implementation-delay-deforestation-law-2024-10-16/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) --- #### What is the AFi? The **Accountability Framework initiative (AFi)** is the common language buyers use for **no-deforestation**—especially **cut-off dates** and scope. Using AFi-aligned definitions makes your evidence “plug-and-play” for auditors and procurement teams. See AFi’s **Operational Guidance on Cut-off Dates**. [Accountability Framework+1](https://accountability-framework.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) > AFi on cut-off dates: after the cut-off, any deforestation renders production **non-compliant** with “no-deforestation” commitments. [Accountability Framework](https://accountability-framework.org/fileadmin/uploads/afi/Documents/Operational_Guidance/AFi_Operational_Guidance_-_Cutoff_Dates__Sept_2023_.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com) --- #### What “deforestation-free” means for an Australian producer You’re in good shape when: - Your mapped boundaries show **no woody-vegetation clearing after 31-Dec-2020**, **and** - Sale cattle are **traceable to those verified plots** so buyers can add them to their compliance file. **Common edge cases (plain English):** - **Agistment/leased paddocks** must be mapped and checked too. - **Partially cleared properties** can often be handled by **excluding** affected paddocks; the remainder may still qualify. - **Legal clearing after 31-Dec-2020** is still **non-compliant for the EU** (permits can still help domestic conversations). - **False positives** (e.g., firebreaks/shelterbelts) can be cleared up with quick photos or records. --- #### Buyer signals & useful links - **Coles**: formal commitment to deforestation-free beef; see Coles’ **Protecting Forests** statement (forest definition and approach) and independent industry coverage. [Coles Group+1](https://www.colesgroup.com.au/FormBuilder/_Resource/_module/ir5sKeTxxEOndzdh00hWJw/file/Coles_Own_Brand_Protecting_Forests_Statement.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **Greenpeace on Coles**: “It sends a strong signal to the entire industry…” (context + quote). [Greenpeace Australia Pacific](https://www.greenpeace.org.au/news/fight-for-forests-far-from-over-as-coles-releases-deforestation-free-commitment/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **Woolworths**: plans to sell deforestation-free beef from 2025 (ABC). Subsequent NGO commentary shows ongoing scrutiny of credible, verifiable claims. [ABC+1](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-28/supermarket-commits-to-deforestation-free-beef/104282120?utm_source=chatgpt.com) - **EU timing**: delay to **Dec 2025** for medium/large firms (with SMEs mid-2026) confirmed; obligations unchanged. [Reuters+1](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/eu-envoys-agree-implementation-delay-deforestation-law-2024-10-16/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) --- #### If you do nothing (commercial consequences) - You may be **ineligible or delayed** for EU-aligned programs once buyers switch their specifications. - Retail programs tightening to “deforestation-free” will **prefer suppliers** who can hand over a **shareable, independently verified** pack without back-and-forth. - **Co-product value** (e.g., hides/leather) can also be affected if evidence is weak. --- ### **How to get started** - Log in to your platform or create account **([AgriProve Platform](https://app.agriprove.io))** - If you are a beef producer the **Deforestation-Free Beef Credential** will appear in your **'opportunities' panel** on the left hand side of your screen or you can enter through the **'credentials'** area of your platform **([Credentials](https://app.agriprove.io/credentials))** - Click on '**Get started with Deforestation-Free Beef**' - Click **'Continue'** - Confirm your property details as per onboarding, provide your PIC, and consent to share this with our partner conducting the analysis - We will provide you with a **quote and invoice,** and once executed, Verterra Ecological Engineering will conduct the independent analysis - this will typically take 2-3 business days. --- ### How AgriProve issues your Deforestation-Free Beef credential - Vegetation disturbance detection: using national datasets, DROVER ground cover analysis, and near real-time satellite alerts we detect woody vegetation change over time. - Compliance assessment: confirm deforestation-free claims against EUDR and AFi criteria using historical imagery and land use maps to verify land management practices. - Independent verification: third-party reviewer delivers your auditable report outlining assessment methods, results, confidence rating and compliance status suitable for supply chain and regulatory requirements. --- ### What you receive - Buyer-ready shareable report with verification link. - Domestic and EU market readiness through compliance with both **EUDR** and **AFi.** - Independent assurance through a third party sign-off on your credentials. - Profile badge showing your Deforestation-Free Beef status. - [General](https://help.agriprove.io/general?hsLang=en) - [Soil Carbon Projects](https://help.agriprove.io/soil-carbon-projects?hsLang=en) - [AgriProve Platform](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-platform?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Emission's Summary](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-platform?hsLang=en#emissions-summary) - [Nature and Climate Scores](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-platform?hsLang=en#nature-and-climate-scores) - [Maps](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-platform?hsLang=en#maps) - [Emissions Breakdown](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-platform?hsLang=en#emissions-breakdown) - [ReadyGraze](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-platform?hsLang=en#readygraze) - [AgriProve Credentials](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-credentials?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Greenham Beef Sustainability Standard](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-credentials?hsLang=en#greenham-beef-sustainability-standard) - [Greenham NEVER EVER Standard](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-credentials?hsLang=en#greenham-never-ever-standard) - [Deforestation-Free Beef](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-credentials?hsLang=en#deforestation-free-beef) - [ISCC](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-credentials?hsLang=en#iscc) - [AgriProve Partners](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-partners?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Ceres Tags](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-partners?hsLang=en#ceres-tags) - [Verterra](https://help.agriprove.io/agriprove-partners?hsLang=en#verterra) - [FAQ's](https://help.agriprove.io/faqs?hsLang=en) - [Soil Experts](https://help.agriprove.io/soil-experts?hsLang=en) - [Customer Resources](https://help.agriprove.io/customer-resources?hsLang=en) # AgriProve HQ Copyright © 2026, AgriProve HQ