Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) has received the final report of a working group on cattle traceability that recommends a phased, industry-led strengthening of how cattle movements are tracked in the province, Farms.com reports.

Rather than a new system, the report proposes building on existing tools such as movement manifests and Livestock Identification Services, connected to the national Canadian Cattle Identification Agency and Canadian Livestock Tracking System. An Alberta-led approach, the group says, could raise compliance with current rules and improve the movement data available during a disease outbreak or other emergency.

The report was prepared by the Ag Advisory Council with producers, auction markets, feedlots, veterinarians, industry groups, government and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. It argues that traceability is more than disease control: it is infrastructure that protects market access and the industry's reputation, and quick access to accurate data can cut the costs and disruption of an outbreak.

The working group was set up after resolutions from producers. ABP chair Doug Roxburgh thanked members for their work over the summer and said the board has directed that the discussion go to ABP's fall producer meetings, where cattle producers can review the findings and give their views on how to balance practical concerns with the need for better movement information.

Photo: Cgoodwin / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Source: Farms.com