Beef industry traceability pilot starts in Australia

A pilot project aimed to encourage on-farm sustainability reporting and supply chain traceability in the beef industry has been launched in Australia.

The pilot will trial a digital sustainability reporting framework designed to help beef producers track, verify, and share their on-farm environmental credentials across the supply chain.

It has been set up in response to increasing global demand for "transparency, environmental accountability, and verifiable product provenance," according to SEAOAK Consulting, part of a consortium of tech providers, beef producers, and industry bodies that is behind the project.

Global markets are placing increasing emphasis on sustainability, traceability, and ethical production, with major export markets – including the EU, US, and key Asian countries – are now demanding greater traceability, environmental performance, and proof of deforestation-free supply chains.

The pilot features Macka’s Australian Black Angus Beef, a leading low-carbon beef producer, as the trial farm, and is supported by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). It will also feature the use of artificial intelligence to help producers better manage climate variability, sustainability risks, and regulatory compliance, and blockchain-enabled QR codes to carry farm sustainability credentials along the supply chain.

"Taking care of land, soils and livestock is ingrained in most farmers’ DNA. This solution will automate data capture and sustainability compliance, enabling a clearer understanding of climate risks, showcasing environmental stewardship, and turning regulatory requirements into commercial opportunities,” said Ebony Greaves, chief executive of SEAOAK.

"MLA are pleased to support this pilot, which leverages cutting-edge technology and scientific measurement to turn environmental action into valuable data assets," said John McGuren, the agency's project manager for digital agriculture.

"This project supports MLA’s strategic objective to build trust in the Australian red meat industry by enabling producers to measure, manage and communicate their sustainability credentials with confidence – both domestically and internationally," he added.