Enhancing agricultural traceability: from farm gate to dinner plate
The first ever National Agricultural Traceability Strategy 2023 to 2033 will unlock a new chapter for Australian agriculture.
Australia’s existing regulatory standards, systems and processes (through joint development by industry and government over many decades) have put us in a favourable position in world agricultural trade.
However, strong and forward leaning national agricultural traceability systems that are relevant to all supply-chain participants are needed to ensure fit-for-purpose traceability outcomes for the future and to achieve $100 billion in farm gate output by 2030.
Traceability is a shared responsibility between industry, the Australian Government, state and territory jurisdictions and agricultural supply-chain participants.
Traceability underpins Australia’s biosecurity and export arrangements. Strong traceability systems support access to existing and new markets; enhance our ability to respond to pest, disease, and food safety incidents; and support meeting changing consumer expectations (such as provenance and sustainability) by enabling consumers to make informed decisions.
Country to consumer traceability is a value proposition for Australia that offers both strong biosecurity and trade benefits.
The 10-year strategy will further drive our ability to demonstrate the quality, safety, and sustainability of our agricultural commodities and products from farm gate to dinner plate at a time when consumers and international trading partners are demanding more transparency in agricultural supply chains.
This strategy has a particular focus on agricultural commodities and products (including First Nations Australians’ products), live production animals and biosecurity emergency response, while being highly relevant to broader product movements.
The strategy clarifies objectives and priority areas for action by all stakeholders through a coordinated, national approach, which until now had been missing.
An implementation plan is currently being developed for the strategy.