As biosecurity threats continue to rise across Australia’s agricultural sector, ExoFlare partnered with the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program to address the risks within the chicken meat industry. This collaboration focused on developing a unique biosecurity risk assessment solution designed to help producers to stop biosecurity threats at the farm gate.
Chicken meat is Australia’s most consumed protein, making the industry a critical part of the national food supply. However, the sector faces significant biosecurity risks due to:
Australia saw significant outbreaks of high pathogenic H7 strains of Avian Influenza during 2024 and again in 2025. The flow-on effects on egg supply is still being felt at retail level. At the same time, the industry became increasingly aware of the dramatic impact that H5N1 is having in the USA and other countries, and whilst Australia remains free of this strain, the industry is preparing for future outbreaks of this highly pathogenic disease.
Although industry-wide biosecurity protocols exist, the need for a digital solution to enhance risk management and improve early detection capabilities had become increasingly urgent.
The success of this initiative is due to close collaboration between ExoFlare, AgriFutures, and industry stakeholders, including chicken meat producers, growers, and processors.
“We’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with industry and provide a large number of chicken meat industry participants the chance to see for themselves that stepping up their biosecurity to a much higher level can be achieved in a cost-effective and easy way,” said Mr Aitken.
The Australian chicken meat industry contributes an estimated real gross value of production of $3.9 billion in 2024-2025, with a retail value exceeding $8 billion. Protecting this sector requires maintaining the highest standards of biosecurity and animal health.
AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Manager, Sarika Pandya, highlighted the broader impact of the technology: “The introduction of ExoFlare’s innovative biosecurity risk assessment solution is a pivotal step in allowing the industry to manage biosecurity risks efficiently and ensure rapid responses to potential threats.
”The project’s success not only strengthens the resilience of the chicken meat industry but also enhances food security and sustainability.
“Chicken meat has the smallest environmental footprint of all land-based meats, and as the most affordable source of protein, it is vital for sustainable food supply, food security, and national nutrition. This technology ultimately benefits both producers and consumers, safeguarding the future of the industry.”
— Sarika Pandya, AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Manager
AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Manager, Sarika Pandya, highlighted the broader impact of the technology: “The introduction of ExoFlare’s innovative biosecurity risk assessment solution is a pivotal step in allowing the industry to manage biosecurity risks efficiently and ensure rapid responses to potential threats.
”The project’s success not only strengthens the resilience of the chicken meat industry but also enhances food security and sustainability.
