Lambs are drafted at the Ballarat saleyards during a NSW EID reference group visit. Source – Sally Martin, Twitter

AUSTRALIA’S livestock supply chain is now able to access up to $3.9 million in grants to improve data uplift in the industry’s traceability system.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Anthony Chisholm said applications have been opened for National Livestock Traceability System database uplift transition support grant

The government said the grant is part of a broader initiative to maintain and enhance the NLIS, enabling it to meet growing consumer demand while boosting Australia’s biosecurity, food safety and market access.

The grant is designed to help offset the costs of moving from the original NLIS API system to the new API version which will support the uplifted NLIS database.

Mr Chisholm said the latest grant will assist with the continued improvement of our world-leading livestock traceability system, demonstrating to our trading partners that Australia’s high-quality products continue to be safe, clean and sustainable.

“Our continued efforts to innovate in this space will further strengthen Australia’s traceability systems, improving our ability to respond effectively to biosecurity and food safety issues, all while supporting access to existing and new markets.

“Getting this transition right will ensure Australia maintains a contemporary, fit-for-purpose livestock traceability system well into the future.”

The grant will be administered by Integrity Systems Company on behalf of the Australian Government and will be available to existing NLIS database integrators, including equipment and device manufacturers, software providers for processors, feedlots, saleyards, third-party integrators and state and territory departments of agriculture.

Existing NLIS API integrators in the following sectors eligible to apply include:

NLIS approved tag and device manufacturers

Existing third-party software providers for producers, processors, feedlots, saleyards and agents

On-farm management systems

State and Territory Departments of Agriculture requiring a data provisioning upgrade

Applications for the NLIS Database Uplift Transition Support grant will close 12 March 2025.

The $3.9 million investment in traceability has been funded under the Bolstering Australia’s Biosecurity System Package, with the Australian Government committing $46.7 million over three years from 2022-23 to work with industry, and state and territory governments, to improve national livestock traceability arrangements.

Further information, including how to apply, can be found here.