Meeting new European market requirements

As of 31 December 2025, the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements will take effect. The new requirements will apply to any beef, beef products and leather/hides exported to the European Union.

Producers who are accredited through the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program can now share their geolocation via the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS). This will support continued access to European markets and contribute to best practice land management.

How LPA will help fill the data gap

Integrity Systems Company’s Manager of Quality, Policy and Compliance, Elizabeth Bradley, explained the new requirements and how they are supported by the NLIS.

“We’ve developed a simple mapping tool (via LPA) which allows producers who are part of the EU supply chain to opt-in and share their geolocation data,” Elizabeth said.

“We’ve made the tool as simple and easy to use as possible, while also ensuring producers remain in control of their data at all times,” Elizabeth said.

“This geolocation data can then be shared with the European importer without sharing any Property Identification Codes (PICs) – ensuring the privacy of our producers is protected.”

Elizabeth also highlighted the importance of producers knowing that the geolocation sharing feature won’t access land degradation or deforestation data - this responsibility will sit with the European importer, who needs to submit a Due Diligence Statement with import documentation based on information provided by the Australian exporter.

Obtaining lifetime geolocation data

To maintain EU market access, whole-of-life geolocation data is required to enable EU importers to check the deforestation status of any land associated with the animal.

This is done by processors and feedlots being able to see the animal’s full geolocation history by searching its electronic identification number in the NLIS database.

“Once the search is done, further checks can be completed as part of the arrangements with the importer and the deforestation check can then be passed through with the documentation.

“It’s effectively filling a data gap to ensure the export of cattle and cattle products to the EU can continue,” Elizabeth said.

Assurance of land management

Elizabeth said these new regulations could be a starting point for how land management is built into the LPA program.

“I think this is an opportunity for us to work with industry and set some national expectations around how we provide assurance for things such as land management and deforestation, etc.”

Impacts on the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework

Specifically, for the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework, this may support the priority area of the balance of tree and grass cover, and market access.

“The more information we have the more the livestock industry will be able to promote sustainability across the board.

“It’ll ensure that where we have high-value market requirements, wherever they may be, we’ll be able to easily fulfil them,” Elizabeth said.

“The data collected to ensure EU market requirements are met will also help bolster the whole assurance framework in the future.”