Australian Eggs launches VR biosecurity training tool

Responding to producer feedback that traditional biosecurity training methods were often time-consuming and ineffective, industry body Australian Eggs has developed an interactive VR biosecurity training tool.

Australian Eggs Managing Director, Rowan McMonnies (pictured here) said: “The tool is an interactive application that visually identifies key areas on the farm that pose potential biosecurity risks and assesses understanding of key concepts via a multiple-choice questionnaire.”

Designed for new employees, contractors, farm visitors and existing staff, the tool helps to provide users with biosecurity knowledge and a recognised accreditation that can be used across the industry.

The tool comes as Australian Eggs reveals its findings from its latest community sentiment research — a barometer that in 2024 surveyed 5000 Australians.

Now in its seventh year, the 2024 report findings show industry responsiveness is the main driver of community trust, with 75% of Australians confident in the egg industry’s ability to identify and respond to community expectations.

The research also revealed that:

• 69% of respondents trust the egg industry to act in the best interest of society;
• 73% believe that new technology creates better career paths within the industry;
• 78% agreed that technology improves welfare, sustainability and environmental outcomes; and
• 87% highlight traceability as crucial for food safety, reflecting strong confidence in current food safety standards, with only 13% prioritising confidence in food safety as the most important factor.

McMonnies said this year’s survey results show a significant increase in trust, in what has been a challenging time for the industry.

“It’s been a difficult time for the industry with the avian influenza outbreak in late-Autumn. This survey was conducted over this period, so it seems the process of listening to the community is continuing to work.

“We have seen positive increases in all key areas, including environmental management, which remains a key priority for Australians. These results are a welcomed surprise after results plateaued at a high level in recent years.

“These results put the egg industry in good stead to address supply challenges and continue to deliver a trusted source of protein to Australian tables.”

The new VR biosecurity training tool has been designed to help increase the security of egg supply. It aims to standardise, streamline and modernise on-farm biosecurity processes, which are a major priority for Australian egg farmers.

The tool is free for all egg producers to use and those who undertake the training will be provided with a certificate of completion.

For more information about the biosecurity training tool, visit the Australian Eggs website.