Australia’s first National Agricultural Traceability Strategy to protect and grow ag industry

Agriculture ministers from across Australia have come together to deliver the country’s first National Agricultural Traceability Strategy, to protect and grow our agriculture sector.

The Strategy was officially launched at today’s Agriculture Minister’s Meeting (AMM) in Perth.

The 10-year Strategy will guide research, as well as industry and government investment to improve our already strong systems, increase efficiencies, and deliver benefits to farmers.

It also supports the agriculture industry’s goal of growing the sector to a $100 billion a year industry by 2030.

The National Agricultural Traceability Strategy was developed in 2022/23 through industry and government working together, with a wide range of stakeholders along agricultural supply chains, from producers to retailers.

It was also informed by the National Traceability Summit and Working Group Sessions, industry design group sessions, the Australian Agricultural Traceability Alliance Forum, and a Have Your Say public survey.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt said the landmark strategy will help protect and grow Australian agriculture.

“Increasingly, consumers and markets want to know where their food and fibre comes from, and that’s exactly what traceability systems provide,” Minister Watt said.

“Better traceability systems help Australian farmers show where and how food was produced, bringing more value to their production.

“These systems also help our farmers adapt to changing trade relations, regulatory environments, biosecurity risks and consumer preferences.

“A modern national traceability system is how we can prove Australia’s credentials in areas like biosecurity, food safety and sustainability, in order to gain a market advantage for our producers.

“It can help increase product value domestically and internationally and allows for produce movements to be tracked, in the event of a biosecurity outbreak.

“Traceability is a shared responsibility and I commend the states and territories and industry for coming together, in partnership with the Commonwealth, to undertake this important work.

“The Albanese Government is investing over $100 million into Australia’s agricultural traceability systems with $55 million invested already this year—an investment that will pay dividends through trade while helping to protect Australia from biosecurity incursions.

The full National Agricultural Traceability Strategy 2023-2033 is available online here.