National industry body Dried Fruits Australia has received a $30,000 Australian Government traceability grant to digitise the dried grape industry spray diary.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the grant would provide an opportunity to modernise an important part of the dried grape industry.
"The Dried Fruits Australia Industry Spray Diary will assist producers to monitor their own chemical usage. It will also provide them with timely information on which chemicals can be used, when they can be used and changes to Maximum Residue Limits (MRL)," Minister Littleproud said.
"This grant will be used to create real-time traceability in the Australian dried fruits supply chain.
"Ensuring compliance with MRL is important for access to international markets. This project will assist producers to log their chemical usage more efficiently and to maintain awareness of MRL for export markets.
"Not only will the digital spray diary make life simpler for producers, but it will also assist in securing the industry's supply chain between producers, processors and marketers.
"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.
"Whether it's through developing block-chain technology to assist with food safety, an app to track kangaroo meat harvesting, or a DNA database to combat illegal logging, these round two projects will give Aussie exporters the competitive edge."
Ann Mansell, Dried Fruits Australia's, Chief Executive Officer said: "We thank the Australian Government for this grant and look forward to delivering this project for our industry."
For more details on the 14 successful round two projects visit the Traceability Grants Program website here.
Fast Facts:
- The Traceability Grants Program supports industry projects that will enhance our agricultural supply chain traceability systems, including developing and trialing technologies that digitise information flow.
- The program also aims to provide an advantage for our exporters and to increase opportunities to export Australian commodities.
- The program is part of the Australian Government's Modernising Agricultural Trade agenda to support the target of a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030.
- The Australian Government is investing $7 million from 2019-20 through to the end of 2022-23 in projects under the Traceability Grants.
