Invitation to the Agricultural Traceability Symposium

What is traceability in agriculture?

Agricultural traceability is the ability to track and trace the movement of agricultural products through the supply chain, from production to consumption. This can be done by collecting and recording information about the product, such as its identity, location, and movement.

Why discuss traceability?

There is increasing demand for traceability of food due to:

• Food safety: Traceability can help to identify the source of foodborne illness outbreaks, which can help to prevent future outbreaks
• Biosecurity: Traceability can help to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, which can damage crops and livestock
• Market access: Many countries require traceability for imported food products
• Environmental sustainability: Markets overseas are imposing new regulations that require proof of environmental impact of production and distribution, and buyers are making similar demands
• Consumer demand: Consumers are increasingly demanding to know where their food comes from and how it was produced
• Brand protection: Traceability can help to protect brands from fraud and counterfeiting.

For exporters, there are potential significant benefits from implementing good traceability systems, including:

• Increased market access: Traceability can help exporters to meet the requirements of importing countries
• Reduced risk of recalls: Traceability can help identify and recall contaminated products quickly, minimising the impact of a recall
• Improved food safety: Traceability can help improve food safety by identifying and addressing potential problems in the supply chain
• Enhanced brand reputation: Traceability can help to enhance brand reputation by demonstrating a commitment to food safety, environmental sustainability, and transparency.

Why attend the symposium?

There are compelling reasons not to miss this event, including:

• Staying informed on industry trends: Agricultural traceability is evolving. By attending this symposium, you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments, innovations and technologies, and best practices in traceability systems.
• Networking with experts, buyers and sellers: The symposium will provide an excellent opportunity to connect with industry experts, government officials, producers, farmers, retailers and buyers. These connections can lead to valuable partnerships and collaborations.
• Improving regulatory compliance: Traceability regulations in the agricultural sector are becoming increasingly stringent worldwide. Attending this symposium will allow you to gain insights into relevant current and upcoming regulations.
• Better understand consumer expectations and supply chain efficiencies: By attending this symposium, you can learn about the latest tools and technologies for implementing robust traceability systems, and the demands from buyers and consumers.

Who will attend the symposium?

This symposium will be attended by Australian and Saudi representatives, including:

• Farmers and growers
• Food manufacturers and processors
• Supply chain managers
• Regulatory authorities
• Technology providers
• Researchers and academics
• Consumer advocates
• Industry associations and trade groups

What’s on the agenda?

For further information, please contact:

Angela Wright
Senior Manager (Trade and International Development)
(02) 8243 7400
AngelaWright@export.org.au