Think Tank with Nathan Hancock

This NABS Think Tank featured Nathan Hancock, CEO of Citrus Australia, who shared the citrus industry’s journey to strengthen traceability and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

What began as a response to challenges experienced during the citrus canker eradication program in the Northern Territory has evolved into a series of innovative projects designed to improve the industry’s understanding of where products come from, where they move to, and how quickly that information can be accessed when it matters most.

Nathan spoke candidly about the opportunities and challenges involved in building traceability systems, including the importance of trust, data ownership, industry engagement, and creating incentives for participation. He highlighted the significant work undertaken to improve supply chain visibility, from mapping citrus plantings and nursery networks to exploring isotope technologies that may one day verify not only that a product is Australian, but where in Australia it was grown.

A recurring theme throughout the session was that traceability is about much more than tracking fruit. At its heart, it is about building confidence, improving preparedness, supporting faster decision-making, and strengthening the industry’s ability to respond to future biosecurity challenges.

As with all NABS Think Tanks, the discussion extended beyond the citrus industry itself. Participants were encouraged to consider how the principles underpinning this work—collaboration, transparency, innovation, and continuous improvement—might be applied within their own organisations and sectors.

The session was a reminder that some of the most valuable ideas emerge when people share their experiences openly and learn from challenges encountered in other industries. By creating opportunities for these conversations, the Think Tanks continue to support knowledge exchange, encourage new ways of thinking, and strengthen our collective approach to biosecurity preparedness.