The Australian Conservation Foundation has identified 50 examples of deforestation that occurred in the last four years on properties linked to the cattle industry, but the big supermarkets - the biggest sellers of beef - have not set targets to get deforestation out of their supply chains.
In Coles' sustainability report, released today, the supermarket acknowledges 'deforestation is a contributor to climate change and biodiversity loss,' but declines to set a target to stop selling beef linked to deforestation.
Woolworths' 'net zero deforestation by 2025' target essentially means the company will attempt to compensate for the deforestation that is occurring in its beef supply chain by planting some seedlings somewhere else. This is not a target to stop deforestation.
"Australians should be able to buy mince from a Coles or Woolies and not have to worry that it is linked to the destruction of a koala's home," said ACF's Bonnie Graham.
"Coles and Woolworths are the biggest suppliers of beef to Australian consumers, yet neither of the supermarket giants has a target to get deforestation out of its supply chains.
"Coles and Woolworths' rival Aldi does have a target to eliminate deforestation from its supply chains by the end of 2025.
"Australia is an international deforestation hotspot, but that problem is being driven by a small number of operators.
"While most graziers are not engaged in broadscale bulldozing of bushland, Australians are unable to choose deforestation-free beef because the supermarkets do not differentiate.
"Koalas need mature trees to live in. Threatened species like red-tailed black cockatoos need tree hollows to nest in - these only form in trees that are decades old.
"Our food systems rely on the health of the natural world. Not acting to end deforestation has consequences for farmers, shareholders, nature and ultimately our food security.
"The big supermarkets and the beef industry can be part of the solution when it comes to ending deforestation in Australia."
ACF used satellite data and ground-truthing to identify the 50 examples of deforestation.
More than 250 Australian scientists have called for an urgent end to deforestation.
