Animal Identification and Registration
Traceability

Consumer Confidence and International Market Access

Animal identification and registration s a key tool for animal health and food safety and is a ‘must’ to maintain consumer confidence in national products of animal origin and to assure international market access for livestock and animal products.

It further may improve the competitiveness of the livestock sector in the country and thus may contribute to sustainable economic development in the rural areas.

A major tool: the central database

Compared to the obligatory countrywide registrations of births and movements as it is applied in EU member states countries with less favourable livestock production conditions may opt for a regional approach (zoning) and modified arrangements for tagging, birth registration and movement control. A major tool of an Animal I&R system is the database which maintains all relevant information and provides a comprehensive insight into animal movements and contacts between animals at any time. This will help the veterinary service to control and eradicate diseases and also to react faster and more effectively, should an outbreak of cattle disease occur. In addition, there is the advantage in tracing the relevant animals right back to the individual farm, should there be a public health hazard.

Design of Animal I&R projects

The introduction of an international compliant Animal I&R system turns out to be challenging project, which is complex and require a careful phasing of the project activities in a planning, preparation and implementation phase.

Planning Phase

• Review livestock identification, registration and traceability systems in the country 
• Development of the system design and data collection procedures
• Development of IT concept 
• Review legal I&R provisions and draft legislation 

Preparation Phase

• Design of the computer network, data flow architecture and  operating procedures for data collection and data entry
• Creation of operational procedures regarding ongoing supply, distribution and application of ear tags
• Preparation of technical specifications, cost estimates and tender dossiers for computer hard- and software, operation and/or maintenance of the IT computer centre, and other materials required (i.e. eartags, paper forms)
• Supervision of software development, hard- and software installation, customisation and testing
• Preparation of technical and user manuals related to data entry
• Design and undertaking of publicity and information
• Training of all involved parties

 Implementation Phase

• Assistance to holding registration, ear tagging and cattle registration to ensure  sustainable ongoing operations