Researchers from CSIRO, Murdoch University, Griffith Asia Institute, and the University of Melbourne met together in Brisbane recently to initiate a GBADs-Australia strategy. Guided by our facilitator, Maren Strachan, we discussed the political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, legal, and environmental factors that could influence the direction and focus of an Australian case study. These included some uniquely Australian aspects such as our freedom from many infectious diseases and the importance of export markets, as well as more general issues including the rapidly evolving data ecosystem, changing demographics of producers and our veterinary workforce, the desire to reduce environmental impacts of livestock production, and the severe social and economic burden of extreme weather events. A pathway towards GBADs-Australia is emerging, with initial steps to include identifying data, complementary programs of work, and potential stakeholders before we reconvene later in the year.

We are continuing to engage and work towards an Australia Case Study. If you have any questions, contact gbads@liverpool.ac.uk.

L-R. Tarni Cooper, Peggy Schrobback, Mieghan Bruce, Joshua Aboah, Simon Firestone, Di Mayberry, Dominic Smith, Maren Strachan, Yin Li