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The inaugural National GS1 Traceability Advisory Group (NGTAG) meeting brought together 60 senior leaders from government and industry to discuss a strategic master plan for Australia’s supply-chain visibility.

First announced in July, the NGTAG aims to provide multi-sector representation and recommendations for supply chain traceability standards and priorities.

Today’s (10 September) inaugural meeting set the foundation for discussion on the importance of communicating, educating and co-defining a master plan for implementing end-to-end supply chain visibility in Australian trade and the need for cross-industry collaboration.

“Mutual collaboration is absolutely critical and essential for traceability to take shape,” said Woolworths’ Ram Akella, the co-chair of the advisory group.

“It’s a matter of understanding what’s missing and how do we bring the different pieces of the puzzle together, how do we make things work together and how do work with other entities in the same supply chain.”

“[We’re here] discussing what’s important from a customer point of view, what’s important from a regulation and government point of view and how changes can be made cost effectively at the same time’.

The Group's objectives are aligned with the role of government to ensure Australian industry maintains and builds global competitiveness, sustainable economic growth and positive socio-economic outcomes and opportunity for all Australians.

The NGTAG will meet quarterly and is chaired by nominated industry representatives.

Food & Drink Business

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Across Australia and internationally, food and beverage businesses are facing growing pressure to provide greater transparency about where products come from, how they are produced, and whether claims relating to quality, sustainability, and authenticity can be verified. Griffith University Asia Institute associate professor of agribusiness and international trade, Robin E. Roberts, offers advice for companies to transform this pressure into a competitive advantage.