Minister for Agriculure Murray Watt, left, talks to delegates at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture.

FUNDING to support Australian farmers to demonstrate their sustainable farming practices has been announced by the Federal Government.

The $4 million in funding under the National Agriculture Traceability Sustainability Reporting Uplift program is available to peak industry bodies, research organisations and consortia applicants.

Organisations can now apply for grants of $50,000 to $500,000 for projects lasting up to 24 months – ending in June 2025. Applications close on Thursday 23 February 2023.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt made the announcement in Berlin where he is holding talks with his European Union counterparts to promote Australia’s sustainable farming practices.

The government said the new funding will leading the way on developing a provable product-claim that assures key export markets.

Minister Watt said this new funding will help stakeholders verify sustainability credentials through consistent collection, measurement and reporting of data.

“Australia has a great story to tell but there are gaps in the data, frameworks and credentials we have available to tell this story.

“We need better cohesion on sustainability reporting across commodities and the whole supply chain,” Mr Watt said.

“Demonstrating the sector’s sustainability credentials is becoming increasingly important for Australia’s agricultural production and export, including market access.”

Mr Watt said by providing provable claims will assure key export markets of our sustainability credentials.

“Improved data capability can reduce compliance and regulatory costs, aid in meeting emerging international requirements and better meet Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting requirements.

“Better data and governance also ensures value-add benefits from agricultural traceability are realised at the farm gate,” he said.

“That means farmers can prove and leverage their natural capital for economic benefit.”

Mr Watt’s office said improved traceability and streamlining regulation could serve to reduce regulatory costs by up to 5.5 percent per annum. More than 70 percent of consumers place increasing importance on information about how food and ingredients are manufactured, prepared and handled, his office said.

For more information and to apply, visit www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants.

More information on the Traceability Grants Program is available on https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/market-access-trade/national-traceability/grantsprogram

For more information on national traceability, visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/market-access-trade/national-traceability