Livestock saleyards across Victoria will benefit from a boost in productivity thanks to $60,000 in funding to improve supply chain traceability and quality assurance systems.
Announcing the funding at the Livestock Saleyards Association Victoria annual conference in Melbourne, Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said the Andrews Labor Government was committed to working with the livestock industry to deliver more efficient animal traceability.
The funding will enable the Livestock Saleyards Association to pilot and implement an electronic National Vendor Declaration system for Victoria’s cattle and sheep supply chains.
National Vendor Declarations are required to sell livestock through saleyards and are a key tool that underpins Australia's food safety reputation for meat and livestock products on domestic and export markets.
Victoria’s combined meat, wool and dairy exports were worth just under $6 billion in 2013-14.
Automating the recording of livestock movements through the supply chain provides a range of benefits, such as more accurate traceability in the event of an animal disease outbreak, and will also add-value to on-farm electronic identification of livestock.
The next stage of this project will see the Livestock Saleyards Association working with Meat and Livestock Australia and other stakeholders to ensure that any new system will be robust and all opportunities can be maximised.
This new investment builds on previous Victorian Government funding for saleyards to enable livestock producers to better utilise the National Vendor Declarations system through computer equipment and for abattoirs to trial the use of electronic equipment to improve productivity and traceability.
It will be further complement by the Labor Government’s new $200 million Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund that will invest in equipment and technology to support a more efficient food and fibre supply chain.
The Labor Government is also upgrading of the Euroa and Wangaratta saleyards to ensure modern facilities and infrastructure supports our vital livestock industries.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“The new $60,000 in funding will make it easier for our saleyards to trace livestock movements and improve supply chain efficiency.”
“Our new $200 million Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund will support technology use from paddock to port.”
“With our meat, dairy and wool exports contributing around $6 billion to the economy each year, it is critical we have the right systems in place to safeguard this vital industry.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020