Up to $10m available for innovative solutions in livestock supply chain

The federal government has announced it is seeking innovative solutions to improve the monitoring and reporting of livestock health and welfare at critical points in the export supply chain.

Under its Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII), the Australian Government has opened applications for grant funds of up to $10 million.

Grants are available for regulatory technology project feasibility studies. If a feasibility study is successful, up to $1 million is available to develop a proof of concept.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said applications are now open for the challenge, which seeks to find innovative technology solutions that deliver efficiencies at one or more key points across the livestock supply chain.

“I welcome this investment in finding new technologies to improve how we regulate the live animal exports trade,” said Minister Littleproud.

“More than 2.3 million Australian livestock are exported each year by sea and air and Australia is a world leader in ensuring health welfare standards of this livestock,” he said.

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“However, maintaining and demonstrating good welfare outcomes currently places considerable regulatory burden on industry, as current monitoring and reporting is largely manual, repetitive and resource intensive,” he explained.

“The Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports, Mr Ross Carter has already identified we need to improve how we monitor our livestock and how data is collected, including by using automated technology,” he said.

The Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) encourages businesses to develop innovative solutions to government policy and service delivery programs.

The current round is focussing on regulatory technology, using digital technologies to streamline or enhance compliance for businesses or individuals, and administration for government.

“This BRII challenge delivers an opportunity to do this and find effective and efficient mechanisms that meet the needs of both industry and government,” Minister Littleproud said.

“With tens of thousands of livestock to monitor, technology-based solutions will make it easier and faster to detect any animal health or welfare issues and improve how we do business,” he said.

He continued that new technologies will also make it easier for our exporters to demonstrate their commitment to animal welfare.

“I look forward to working with the successful applicant(s) to develop innovative solutions for the livestock supply chain,” he said.

Applications close on 3 June 2021.

Source: Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management media release