Overview

The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF) is an initiative of the Australian beef industry to set out the key indicators of its sustainability performance.

The ABSF uses evidence-based metrics to empower industry, and demonstrate its values and accountability to customers, investors and stakeholders.

The ABSF regularly reviews key topics and areas of focus to address the beef industry’s most significant impacts, risks and opportunities.

Overview

This project aims to build on previous phases of the Australian Biosecurity Genomic Database (ABGD) development project. Phase 3 aims to:

• add additional viral subtypes
• expand the database to include state based notifiable diseases
• trial the inclusion of bacterial pathogens
• determine a long-term solution for database maintenance.

Project Lead: AgriBio (Victoria); Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Overview

This project aims to investigate pre-barcoded sample tubes to reduce the delays due to bottlenecks in sample processing during disease outbreaks. It includes researching technologies and suppliers of pre-barcoded sample collection tubes.

AgriBio will conduct several pilot trials of selected sample tubes from the field to the laboratory. A trial will then be conducted with the South Australian Animal Health Laboratory Service and the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness to test its potential for use as a national sample identification system.

Overview

This project used a participatory foresight approach to explore potential challenges and opportunities for animal health in the next 10-15 years.

It aimed to support industry and government decision-makers in envisioning preferable futures and determining how Australia may need to adapt as part of a future-ready approach.

Project Lead: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Project Contact: animalplan@aff.gov.au 

Project Status: Complete

Overview

Australia’s Animal Sector Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Action Plan 2023 to 2028 (the action plan) aligns with the 7 objectives of Australia’s National AMR Strategy – 2020 and Beyond. It also lines up with the priority activities of the One Health Master Action Plan for Australia’s National AMR Strategy 2020 and Beyond (One Health AMR Master Action Plan).

The plan provides Australia’s terrestrial and aquatic animal health and industry sectors with agreed priority activities to implement the AMR strategies.

Overview

The project aims to develop an AMS assessment framework for industries to identify areas for improvement. This follows on from a previous Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) project – Quantifying antimicrobial usage (AMU) in Australian companion and production animals.

It will define quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to provide context for AMU data. These indicators will also highlight gaps in AMS that impact all Australian-specific animal health contexts.

Overview

This project aims to further validate the host microRNA biomarker response-based assays previously developed in another project to improve detection of Johne’s disease in cattle.

Project Lead: Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Project Contact: Animalhealthlaboratories@aff.gov.au 

Project Status: Active

Project date: April 2024 to June 2025

Completed in June 2024, this guide was created to assist with the management of insect vector populations that can spread lumpy skin disease (LSD). We contracted Ausvet Pty Ltd to develop the guide, addressing an activity in the National Lumpy Skin Disease Action Plan, to investigate vector control options.

17 June 2025

Who does this notice affect?

Food importers and brokers acting on behalf of food importers.

What has changed?

Cases documenting the food safety requirements that apply to food imported into Australia that is intended for sale, were released on 15 June 2025. These are now incorporated into the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).

Overview

The purpose of the Australian Agriculture Sustainability Framework (AASF) is to communicate the sustainability status and goals of the Australian agricultural sector to markets and to the community.

The project will provide the whole-of-Australian agriculture narrative about sustainability to assist in market access. It will also provide a translation layer to assist supply chain companies, finance and investors to better understand and report on Australian agricultural sustainability.

Project Lead: National Farmers’ Federation (NFF)