Woolworths shareholders to vote on returning beef to ‘high risk’ deforestation rating
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The news: Woolworths shareholders will vote on rating beef as a ‘high risk’ deforestation-linked commodity after the supermarket giant said it was low risk in its 2025 sustainability report.
The context: On Tuesday, Woolworths told the exchange that “shareholders representing approximately 0.005%” of the group’s shares on issue has received notice of resolutions that seek a “specific risk rating on beef as a deforestation-linked commodity”, and separately the removal of a certification under Woolworth’s paper, pulp and timber policy.
The resolutions will be voted on at the company’s annual general meeting, which is due to be held in October 2025.
Beef was initially considered to pose a high risk of deforestation when the supermarket released its No-Deforestation Policy in FY24.
The policy aims to end the sale of primary deforestation-linked commodities by 31 December 2025.
According to Woolworths’ 2025 sustainability report, issued on 27 August, it is following the European Union Commission May 2025 re-rating of Australia’s beef industry “to be a low risk country” regarding deforestation.
As such, Woolworths said it would focus on the other high risk commodities of paper, pulp and timber, palm oil, cocoa, and soy.
The move was panned by the Australian Conservation Foundation, whose nature and business lead Nathaniel Pelle claimed that “beef pasture expansion by a minority of landowners is the number one driver of deforestation in Australia”.
This has reportedly been denied by Cattle Australia chief executive Will Evans.
