Beef industry representatives at UTS for traceability seminar

UTS hosted leading stakeholders from the beef industry in both Australia and Japan, including Mr Kawai, owner of Ohira Chikusan Kogyo Wagyu farm in Japan.

A series of images demonstrating an app

UTS has developed solutions to solve trust issues along the supply chain, including this blockchain app. Image: Baro Lee

The seminar held on 21 November forms part of the project “Promoting Wagyu beef traceability between Japan and Australia” supported by the Australia-Japan Foundation.

The beef trade contributes greatly to making Australia’s partnership with Japan the closest and most developed in Asia. Yet increasing instances of food fraud and quality breaches are serious problems that greatly impact beef export.

Researchers from the School of Electrical and Data Engineering at UTS have developed technology to solve the problem of traceability, including devices, apps and a user interface.

A group of people pose in front of a banner

Participants at the public seminar Promoting Wagyu Beef Traceability between Japan and Australia. Image: Baro Lee

Seminar attendees had the opportunity to discuss tracking technologies with the researchers who developed the technology, as well as potential ways to work together.

Dr Ying and her team demonstrated the apps and user interface to Mr Kawai and representatives from Meat and Livestock Australia.

This seminar was a wonderful opportunity to bring research, technology and market application together. We are excited about the interest this technology is generating in Japan and its potential impact on the trade relationship. 

Dr Ying He, Chief Investigator

Next year the project will be featured at the annual International Food Machinery and Technology Exhibition (FOOMA), a leading Asian showcase of food equipment held in Osaka, Japan.  Counterparts from Hokkaido University will also visit UTS to deliver seminars and workshops on the project and engage with local beef industry representatives.

The project enhances Australia’s reputation through the promotion of UTS capabilities in innovation and science, as well as increase local understanding of opportunities in Japan.

The Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) is Australia’s oldest cultural council. It supports people-to-people links underpinning this key bilateral and regional relationship, including through science and technology.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.