The Prairie Star: Montana Ag Newspaper

Canada embraced a national cattle identification program several years ago.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2001, all Canadian cattle were tagged with an approved ear tag before leaving their home of origin. Full enforcement of the program by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency began on July 1, 2002, with monetary penalties of $500-$4,000 for noncompliance.

With Great Britain experiencing a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in 2001 and also dealing with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the 1980s and 1990s, Canada's cattle leaders recognized the need for a trace back system.

Protection of the export market was very important to Canada. The country's beef export business ranges from $1 to $3 billion annually.

So industry leaders developed the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) - an organization that oversees the country's trace back system designed for the containment and eradication of animal disease.

The non-governmental organization is a public/private partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

“This is a producer organization that designed the system and decides what's needed and how to develop the system and push it forward,” said John Wiemers, USDA/APHIS staff veterinarian for the National Animal Identification System.

Prior to leaving the premises where calved, each calf is identified by a uniquely numbered individual animal ear tag.

“The tag is simply retired when the animal either dies or is slaughtered at the packing plant,” said Wiemers. “There's no tracking involved with the plan. We would call that the bookend system.”

As of Sept. 1, 2006, all Canadian cattle leaving their farm of origin were tagged with a CCIA approved RFID tag. Bar code ear tags will still be recognized until Dec. 31, 2007.

The RFID tags allow for more secure tag retention, accurate and efficient trace back information, electronic reading of numbers and the basis for animal movement tracking.

The ear tag information maintained at the CCIA office includes the date of purchase, record of an individual unique number, and its link to the herd of origin and packing plant.

According to the CCIA website, the information is secure and the CCIA only provides information to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in the event of a trace back needed for health or safety reasons.

About 2,000 trace backs are carried out annually.

The CCIA has also implemented a voluntary, free of charge program that allows producers to store information regarding animal birth dates.

Wiemers said the U.S. National Animal I.D. System places more emphasis on premise identification, while the Canadian system has, in the past, focused on animal identification.

Animal identification has been associated with the address of whoever purchased the ear tags for the cattle - not necessarily the location of the animals. Canada, however, is now embarking on a premises registration system similar to the one in the United States.

Canada is also getting started with a national animal I.D. program for other domesticated livestock species.

“We've got to hand it to them,” he said. “They've come a long ways with a simple system that has served them quite well.”

Comments »

frank wrote on Jan 18, 2007 1:33 AM:

" I think Reb and Pat H just about covered the typical Left wing sky is falling paranoia that evokes emotion yet fails to confront the facts. However, I think both missed using the words: Hitler, lackeys and genetically modified seeds that are common to such tirades. "

Reb wrote on Jan 8, 2007 6:20 PM:

" Yes, Wiemers is proud that Canada adopted a draconian facist animal ID program,a once free and proud nation reduced to a patsy for US govt morons.Canada has had how many cases of BSE in the period of time that this program has been in force? Didn't help did it? I know that Canada is smarter than that,I only hope they will stand up to their big brother and kick ours in the teeth while they're at it,although Americans should be the ones to do that,Animal Id is a farce pushed on Canada and the Aussies and soon America, by greedy industrial ag groups like the National Institute for Animal Agriculture in Bowling Green Ky,who are comprised of folks like Monsanto,who we all know hate farmers,Hey Weimers,go to russia or china and stay there,we will not comply with your gastapo tricks, the Constitution is still in effect and we farmers have had it with your self rightous blather,Gday! "

Pat H wrote on Jan 6, 2007 8:26 AM:

" Yes, they were doing fine. Now the government is getting involved and forcing in other species, watch the costs rise and farmers get put out of business. Horses will be sent to slaughter as the pleasure market vanishes. Taxes will rise and all will work as well as the Canadian health care system. You are all aware, I hope, that health care in Canada is "free". The problem is whether you can get the surgery you need before you die. Those who can afford to, come to the U.S. Big Brother closes in. Soon there will be no where left to hide. George Orwell was about thirty years off on his predictions, but had incredible foresight. "

Comment on this story

Comments will be approved within 48 hours