Ep 30: Talking traceability and supply chain transparency

EPISODE 30:

In this episode we’re talking about traceability and transparency within supply chains – what’s possible with the agtech available and the challenges of seeing that technology adopted by industry.

Hear from expert Steve Capell, who consults for the Australian Government and volunteers for the UN, running a project called the United Nations Transparency Protocol. He explains how the adoption of traceability technology will improve with the creation of global standards and the introduction of regulations for market access.

Greg Calvert from Fresh Chain, a blockchain enabled, paddock-to-plate assurance system, tells podcast the technology can play a role in everything from food safety to brand awareness.

Johnathon Davey, CEO of industry body Melons Australia talks about how the use of FreshChain technology in a pilot program was “revolutionary” – and what would need to change within the sector to allow the agtech to be adopted on a wider scale.

FEATURING:

STEVE CAPELL – TRACEABILITY AND TRADE CONSULTANT

Steve Capell has been contributing to digital standards for trade facilitation for around 20 years and is a member of the Australian delegation to UN/CEFACT. In that capacity, he’s working on a recommendation to nations on implementation of supply chain transparency at scale. This project includes some detailed implementation guidance in the form of the UN Transparency Protocol (UNTP). When not working on UN/CEFACT projects, Steve runs a boutique consultancy in Canberra, that provides digital strategy and implementation services to Australian government agencies. 

GREG CALVERT – FRESHCHAIN SYSTEMS

Greg Calvert is Co-founder and Director of FreshChain Systems, an Australian company which was established in July 2018. FreshChain is a fully integrated RegTech and Provenance platform supporting the food and beverage industries around food safety, biosecurity, market access, provenance, sustainability capture and reporting, cold chain management and brand protection. 

JOHNATHON DAVEY – MELONS AUSTRALIA

Johnathon Davey joined Melons Australia in March 2021. Reform continues to be at the forefront of the work being undertaken by Johnathon as Chief Executive Officer, with focus shifting toward a constitution review and ensuring research, development and extension activities are of direct benefit and provide a return to the Australian melon industry.