Hungry Jack’s, deforestation and koalas: what’s really happening?
Hungry Jack’s and koala habitat destruction explained
Beef linked to deforestation could still be ending up in Hungry Jack’s burgers.
As Australia’s biggest beef buyer without a strong public commitment to remove deforestation from its beef supply, Hungry Jack’s has become a major focus for people who want to protect our forests, and the koalas, quolls, gang-gang cockatoos and other species who call them home.
The burgers we buy shouldn’t come at the expense of the nature we all love and rely on.
Why are people talking about Hungry Jack’s and deforestation?
Hungry Jack’s sells around 125 million beef patties every year in Australia. Yet it remains the only major beef buyer in Australia without a public commitment to stop selling beef linked to deforestation.
Across Australia, forests and woodlands are still being bulldozed to make room for cattle grazing. That destruction wipes out habitat for iconic native animals like koalas and gang-gang cockatoos.
How is Hungry Jack’s linked to deforestation?
It’s all about beef supply chains and how Hungry Jack’s sources the beef for its burgers.
In Australia, bulldozing to expand cattle grazing is the biggest driver of deforestation.
Because Hungry Jack’s buys such enormous volumes of beef, we’re asking the company to ensure its supply chain is not linked to forest destruction.
Other major companies including Aldi, Woolworths, Coles and McDonald’s have already introduced timebound public targets to rid their supply chains of deforestation.
It’s time for Hungry Jack’s to stop turning a blind eye and make sure deforestation is taken off the menu, for good
Does beef production destroy koala habitat?
Most cattle graziers don’t bulldoze forest these days, but the minority who do are clearing trees at such a rate that it’s the biggest driver of habitat destruction by far. In the time since koalas were listed as endangered in QLD and NSW, around 2 million hectares of koala habitat has been bulldozed.
Large areas of bushland continue to be bulldozed for agriculture, mainly cattle grazing. When this critical koala habitat is destroyed and fragmented, it makes it harder for koalas to find food, shelter and safe breeding areas and pushes them into smaller and more isolated areas, making survival harder.
Koalas are already under pressure from bushfires and drought. Ongoing deforestation linked to beef production is making things worse.
Without stronger protections for forests and wildlife habitat, the pressure on koalas will continue to grow.
Why are people calling on Hungry Jack’s to act?
Australians should be able to grab a burger on a road trip without worrying that it could be linked to the reckless bulldozing of wildlife habitat.
We know that a better food system that supports nature and people is possible.
Hungry Jack’s has the responsibility and the buying power to help drive change across the beef industry, just as its peers are doing. Stronger commitments from major companies can help reduce deforestation risk, improve transparency and support farmers who are doing the right thing by nature.
We’re asking Hungry Jack’s to:
- commit to stop selling beef linked to deforestation
- improve transparency around where its beef comes from
- strengthen monitoring across its supply chain
- support farmers who produce food while protecting nature
- advocate for policies that help Australia achieve a 100% deforestation-free beef industry
Has Hungry Jack’s responded?
Hungry Jack’s has acknowledged concerns about sustainability and supply chains.
But ACF, alongside over 50,000 Australians, want the company to go further by making a strong public commitment to keep deforestation out of its beef supply.
Pressure from customers and communities has already pushed other major companies to strengthen their commitments. People are now calling on Hungry Jack’s to do the same.
What can people do?
We can protect forests and wildlife by speaking up for stronger action on deforestation.
Tell Hungry Jack’s to protect forests and keep deforestation out of its beef supply chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hungry Jack’s destroying koala habitat?
The beef supply chain Hungry Jack’s uses may still be linked to deforestation and koala habitat destruction because the company does not require its suppliers to be deforestation-free.
How does beef production cause deforestation in Australia?
Forests and bushland are often cleared to create grazing land for cattle. When it’s not done with care, it destroys wildlife habitat and contributes to Australia’s deforestation crisis.
Are koalas endangered?
Koalas are listed as endangered across eastern Australia due to habitat destruction, bushfires, climate impacts and other pressures.
Without urgent action, it is estimated that koalas may be driven into extinction in NSW by 2050.
What is deforestation-free beef?
“Deforestation-free beef” refers to beef sourced from farms where no recent deforestation has occurred.
Has Hungry Jack’s committed to zero deforestation?
Hungry Jack’s has not yet made a public commitment to remove deforestation from its beef supply chain.
Why are activists targeting Hungry Jack’s over deforestation?
Hungry Jack’s has the power to help reduce deforestation risk and better protect forests, wildlife and koala habitat if it adopts stronger commitments on beef sourcing.