System to make cattle traceable

ALL cattle in Namibia will get a unique number when a new livestock identification and traceability system takes full effect.

According to Dr Frans Joubert, Chief Veterinary Officer for Animal Disease Control in the Ministry of Agriculture, this will ensure that all movements of livestock can be traced accurately from an animal’s birth up to a supermarket here or abroad, which will help in pinpointing the source of diseases if they occur. The identification system will be introduced in phases.First it will be implemented in the Omaheke and Khomas regions starting from October this year.It will then be introduced to other areas, which will eventually include areas north of Veterinary Cordon Fence.The timeframe of the implementation depends on possible problems that may be spotted along the way, and how effectively they can be sorted out.According to Joubert, the system is essential if Namibia is to maintain its meat exports to international markets.It would also benefit Namibian citizens by adding credibility to the country’s food safety.A similar identification and traceability system has, for example, enabled Brazil to be recognised as a foot-and-mouth disease free zone.Identification will also help in solving cattle theft cases.Under the new system, an animal will be tagged with a unique number as soon as it is about to move from its original farm to an auction, another farm or abattoir.The number and all the movements of the animal will be stored in a computer database.In this way, the origins of any meat product can be easily traced when needed.Farmers will receive the required training at so-called road shows.The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, together with the Meat Board of Namibia, will be responsible for the database maintenance and tracing.The system has been planned since 2004, as a result of an inspection visit from the European Union.The new livestock identification and traceability system was designed by the Directorate of Veterinary Services in close collaboration with the livestock industry, and in consultation with the Meat Board of Namibia and the European Union.The identification system will be introduced in phases.First it will be implemented in the Omaheke and Khomas regions starting from October this year.It will then be introduced to other areas, which will eventually include areas north of Veterinary Cordon Fence.The timeframe of the implementation depends on possible problems that may be spotted along the way, and how effectively they can be sorted out.According to Joubert, the system is essential if Namibia is to maintain its meat exports to international markets.It would also benefit Namibian citizens by adding credibility to the country’s food safety.A similar identification and traceability system has, for example, enabled Brazil to be recognised as a foot-and-mouth disease free zone.Identification will also help in solving cattle theft cases.Under the new system, an animal will be tagged with a unique number as soon as it is about to move from its original farm to an auction, another farm or abattoir.The number and all the movements of the animal will be stored in a computer database.In this way, the origins of any meat product can be easily traced when needed.Farmers will receive the required training at so-called road shows.The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, together with the Meat Board of Namibia, will be responsible for the database maintenance and tracing.The system has been planned since 2004, as a result of an inspection visit from the European Union.The new livestock identification and traceability system was designed by the Directorate of Veterinary Services in close collaboration with the livestock industry, and in consultation with the Meat Board of Namibia and the European Union.