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| Brian Anderson of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency checks a bull using the latest in ear tag technology. Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post, Leader-Post |
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Traceability Q & A - from the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency
"Q: What is Canadian Cattle Identification Agency?
The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) is a not-for-profit, industry-led organization incorporated to establish a national cattle identification program to promote beef consumption through the assurance of efficient trace back and containment of serious animal health and food safety concerns in the Canadian cattle herd.
The agency is led by a Board of Directors made up of representatives from all sectors of the cattle industry.
Q: What is livestock traceability?
Traceability is the ability to follow an item or a group of items - be it animal, plant, food product or ingredient - from one point in the supply chain to another, either backwards or forwards.
Livestock traceability systems are based upon three basic elements: animal identification; premises identification; and animal movement.
Q: What does a fully functional traceability system involve?
A fully functional traceability system is based on three pillars:
1. Animal identification – Associating a unique animal identification number to a location and time
2. Premises identification – Providing a unique animal identification number to a location and time
3. Movement – Associating the animal identification number with a premises and time
In order to track movement, a premises identification number (PID) is required. With the goal of facilitating a fully functional traceability system, the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) encourages producers to obtain a PID number by recording the legal land description (LLD) of their primary premises (home quarter or operation) in the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) at www.clia.livestockid.ca.
Q: Why is livestock traceability important to Canadians?
Traceability systems are important, effective tools that can be used for many things, including the protection of animal health, public health and food safety.
They can help reduce response time, thereby limiting economic, environmental and social impacts of emergency situations such as disease outbreaks.
Canada’s traceability system aims to ensure the consumer retains their confidence in the products being offered – benefiting all aspects of the meat and livestock industry.
Q: How does the traceability system work?
A CCIA-approved radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is applied to the animal’s ear prior to leaving the herd of origin;
All RFID tags are visually and electronically imbedded with a unique identification number that is allocated from the national database and then distributed to producers through authorized tag dealers;
The national RFID tag distribution network securely reports all tag issuance records directly to the national database;
The unique number of each individual animal is maintained to the point of export or carcass inspection where the animal is either approved for human consumption or condemned.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) provides full regulatory enforcement for animal identification as defined in the Health of Animals Regulations. All herd of origin information associated with each tag number is maintained within the national database and is only accessed by authorized CFIA personnel in the event of an animal health issue.
Q: How does RFID tag technology work?
Each ear tag is a transponder, which consists of an encoded chip and antenna.A reader transfers electromagnetic waves, charging the transponder.
The transponder then transmits data to the reader and the reader receives the response from the transponder.
RFID tags are designed to function without battery power.
They have the capacity to perform for the lifetime of the animal.
Q: What are the benefits of using RFID tag technology?
The benefits of using RFID tag technology include: exceptional tag retention and readability, increased data integrity, ability to read at a distance without line of sight, and future capabilities of full animal movement tracking.
Q: How does a CCIA-approved RFID tag support the agricultural industry? What kind of data can be associated with a RFID tag?
A RFID ear tag can be linked to an abundance of data unique to that animal, such as:
o Birth date / Age verification
o Herd of origin
o Movement from one premises destination to another
o Vaccinations and/or antibiotics
o Date and method of castration and dehorning
o Weaning date and weights
o Specific information on breed/cross
o Dam and sire information
o Feed type and amount
o Import/export details
The Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) database is designed to store all of this data. Today, there are many software options available to customize the management of this important data – supporting livestock operators to make good business decisions and optimize herd genetics, health and production management protocols.
Q: What is premises identification?
Premises identification is the assignment of a randomly generated, unique identification number to a physical land location referred to as a premises location allocator identification number or premises identification number (PLA ID or PID).
Q: Why is premises identification important to producers?
Premises identification benefits producers by supporting: Response to natural disaster emergencies like tornadoes, floods, fires, etc.;
Tracing of animals to manage an animal disease outbreak; Disease control measures for animal health issues when more than one livestock species is affected;
Rapid notification of producers in affected areas of disease threats or control measures;
Quick coordination of sites for carcass disposal in the event of an animal disease outbreak;
Dispatch of emergency resources to appropriate targeted locations to contain and assist with disease outbreaks; and
The return to business and limiting losses after animal disease outbreak.
Q: How do I register my premises / acquire a PID?
It’s quick and easy to get a PLA ID/PID number – you can:
1. Contact CCIA with your LLD toll-free at 1-877-909-BEEF (2333),
2. Email your LLD to info@canadaid.ca or
3. Generate it yourself in three clicks after logging your CLTS account: Select My Account, Premises, then Register Premises and fill in the required fields."
www.canadaid.ca
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