Animal identification and traceability

Badi BesbesAnimal Production and Health Division

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

AITS: Key Definitions

• Animal identification means the combination of the identification and registration of an animal individually, with a unique identifier, or collectively by its epidemiological unit or group, with a unique group identifier

• Traceability/product tracing is the ability to follow the movement of food through specified stage(s) of production, processing and distribution (Codex)

• Traceability is the ability to follow an animal (or group of animals) during all stages of its life (OIE)

Drivers of animal identification

• Theft control– A serious problem in Africa (e.g. Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa,

Senegal, Cameroun, RCA, Chad...)

• Proof of ownership• Prevention & control of animal diseases

– 12 of the 15 diseases in List A of the OIE are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa

• Genetic improvement• Farm management• Biodiversity management

RPLRP Component 3 - Livelihood Support. activities under this component will be of a national nature such as […] animal health, breed improvement

Trade opportunities (WTO SPS Agreement)• trade certification and access to lucrative markets

– Only few African countries (Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland) can export livestock products to Europe

– Countries in the Horn of Africa export livestock to the Arabic Peninsula, but…

Ensure fair practices in food trade (WTO TBT Agreement)• protect from deceptive practices and fraud in the market place

and unsubstantiated product claims (e.g. geographic indication, food quality)– Regional trade faces high competition with imported frozen beef meat

Drivers of traceability:

RPLRP Component 2 - Market Access and Trade. The major objective of this component will be to support the harmonization of […] certification systems, SPS standards, and animal identification and traceability systems.

Drivers for traceability

Risk management including in emergency situations• Enable to trace identified hazards (e.g. animal transmissible diseases

and zoonosis) back to their source• Assess potential dissemination of these hazards for effective control

Protect public health• identify, trace and control animal movements • identify, trace and recall unsafe foods (and feeds) at any stage of the

food production and distribution chain– Safety and quality standards also concern animal products

consumed and traded on national and regional markets

RPLRP Component 4 - Pastoral Risk Management. promote activities aimed at harmonizing i) the response to disasters; ii) livestock identification;

The concept of AITS

Location/ Keeper/Owner

Identification and Registration

Animal Identification

and Registration

Movement Reporting

Database

What is a location? • Village, epidemiological unit(s)/zones, pastures,

common grazing areas

Who to register?• Keeper or/and owner• Who else (local authorities, dealers, transporters)?

Who identify and register the animals

• Keeper, Veterinarian, Agent

Who capture the data and how?

• Electronically, paper forms• On the spot or in a data entry center• Offline or online

What ID device to use? • brand, Ear tags, EID, etc

When and who notify animals movements?

• Notify a movement: > x km; change of Epid. zone, level of risk, permit is required, departure/arrival(?)...

• Notify authorities of intended route and expected duration of movement, prior to departure

• Owners, local authorities

Challenges with pastoral herds

Core functionalities

(1) Registration of locations (holdings, establishments, owners, keepers)(2) Animal Identification and Registration

Key characteristic

s Form of ID

Registration of birth and movements in the database

Cost

Type IFull

Individual IDRecording from birth to exit (slaughter,

death)

Type IIPartial

Individual IDRecording starting with departure from birth

farm to exit (slaughter, death)

Type IIIPartial

Individual IDRecording starting with entering special

holdings or markets to exit

Type IVBasic

Group IDRecording starting with departure from birth

farm to exit (slaughter, death)

Type VBasic

Group IDNo recording of movements during animal

lifetime, reporting of death or slaughter

Scope and types of AITS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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Strategic approach (Section II)

Animal Identification

and Registration(Section III)

Animal Traceability(Section IV)

Animal Health Information(Section V)

Performance recording

(Section VI)

Implementing the Strategic Plan (Section IX)

Evaluating Investment Decisions (Section IX)

Developing the Legal Framework (Section X)

Background and rationale (Section I)

Designing and Developing the IT system (Section VIII)

Developing the Strategic Plan (Section VII)

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Guidelines for the development of integrated multipurpose animal recording system