Food Supply Chains

This Victorian initiative is cutting edge and has gained the support of federal authorities including , the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS) and the Victorian Freight and Logistics Council (VFLC), and in the USA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Port of Philadelphia.

The value of the project for Victoria relates to the competitive edge it potentially provides exporters selling into US and world markets.

Transport, distribution, logistics and the food industry are vital to the productivity and growth of the Victorian economy. While there is an increasing need to establish Victoria's market credentials for supply chain excellence and food quality, safety and security,critical gaps remain in managing risk along food supply chains.

The ITP is a supply chain traceability and risk management project aiming to provide a simple, best practice, end-to-end business process description that incorporates the quality, safety and security elements of food throughout its entire production and distribution process.

The ITP was initiated by Icon Global Link Pty Ltd, a Victorian developer of supply chain software supporting food chain integrity, bio-security, process management and regulatory reporting solutions.Two other parties are involved in the project: the Victorian Freight and Logistics Council (VFLC), an industry association representing Victoria's sea, road and rail operators and rated as financially strong by DIIRD's Program Support Unit, and Unisys Pty Ltd, a global IT services company headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with extensive experience in global shipping and transport.

The VFLC, in its role as the auspice body for the ITP, has secured sponsorship funding from a range of government and industry stakeholders for the Inception Phase of Stage 1 of the Project.

The ITP will build on the existing Victorian Government commitment to the food industry, through the VictorianNext Generation Food Strategy and its commitment to supply chain excellence through the TDL Industry Action Plan.

The ITP will strengthen the relationship between the Ports of Melbourne and Philadelphia and provide the means for the Victorian export industry to address innovatively the new legislative standards in the USA.