The Australian Government is seeking new and innovative solutions to improve the monitoring and reporting of livestock health and welfare at critical points in the export supply chain under the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII)
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.
Applications will close on 3 June 2021.
The government is making an investment into finding new technologies to improve how livestock is regulated in the live animal exports trade.
More than 2.3 million Australian bred livestock are exported each year by sea and air and the industry is seeking to be a world leader in ensuring health welfare standards.
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.
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.
Ross Carter adds, “This BRII challenge delivers an opportunity to do this and find effective and efficient mechanisms that meet the needs of both industry and government.
“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.
“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,” Ross Carter concludes.
BRII gives opportunities to innovative small to medium enterprises with ideas to tackle national challenges, including protecting Australia from biosecurity threats and driving growth in our tourism industry.
For information about BRII and how to apply, go to: www.business.gov.au/BRII
Behind our livestock export trade
- 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.
- Up to $10 million is available under this round, with grants 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.
- Applications close on 3 June 2021.
