Western Game Processing has been awarded a $297,000 grant to create an app to enhance traceability for the kangaroo and wild game harvesting industry.
This project is one of 14 to receive funding under Round 2 of the Australian Government’s Traceability Grants Program.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said that underpinning the reliability and sustainability of game meat was becoming increasingly important.
“This grant will go towards creating an app and an internet dashboard to log real-time kangaroo harvesting data, from point of origin to processing,” Minister Littleproud said.
“While data is currently collected on kangaroos harvested, this system will eliminate the need for harvesters to manually record data using paper tags,” he said.
He continued that by digitising the data, we can enhance traceability for biosecurity and food recall, which is important for accessing foreign markets.
“Being able to quickly trace kangaroos back to the harvester and the harvest area will also assist in identifying and addressing animal welfare concerns that may arise,” he explained.
“We know that consumers in Australia and internationally want greater transparency and real time advice about the origin and safety of product in the modern digital marketplace. By tapping into the innovation and ingenuity of Australian industry, these round two projects will give Aussie exporters the competitive edge,” he concluded.
Western Game Processing Director Ben Cameron said the organisation was grateful to receive the grant.
“While this project will start off with the kangaroo harvesters who supply our Longreach facility, we’re aiming to extend it to the wider industry and make it available to the Australian game meat industry,” Cameron said.
“This system will enhance access to the traceability of each kangaroo as they move along the supply chain – from paddock to plate,” he said.
He continued that it will assist them to monitor and track and trace product, wherein data collected and shared with stakeholders will also ensure the sustainability of kangaroo populations.
Source: Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management media release