Animal Traceability: Why Reliable Identification Has Become Strategic
Identifying an animal is not simply a matter of assigning it a number.
Behind every visual tag, electronic tag, or transponder lies an essential link in the traceability chain: the ability to link an animal to its origin, its movements, and the information needed to track it.
This requirement applies not only to livestock producers but also to livestock organizations, cooperatives, government agencies, veterinarians, and distributors who play a daily role in the operation of this supply chain.
Identification: The First Step in Traceability
Data can only be properly utilized if the animal to which it corresponds is reliably identified.
When a tag becomes illegible, is lost, or information is incorrectly associated, the overall quality of the data can be compromised.
Effective identification must therefore combine the following:
● permanence of the identifier;
● legibility;
● uniqueness of the identifier;
● compatibility with the systems in use;
● ease of application and reading;
● compliance with the requirements of the relevant jurisdiction.
European regulations are based precisely on this logic.
Identification and registration systems apply, in particular, to cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, equines, camelids, and cervids, and enable authorities to quickly trace animals and their movements when a public health intervention is necessary.
Why is traceability particularly important during a public health emergency?
When a communicable disease is detected, it is essential to quickly determine
:
● the origin of the affected animals;
● their movements;
● the farms with which they have come into contact;
● their possible destination.
With regard to cattle, the European Commission notes that traceability relies on proper identification, the exchange of information, and record-keeping.
An identification tag is therefore a relatively simple device that is part of a
much broader system.
Visual and electronic identification: two complementary levels
Visual reading allows for immediate identification by the user.
RFID adds automated reading, enabling the rapid retrieval of an electronic number and its transmission to a reader or computer system.
Therefore, it is not necessarily a matter of choosing one or the other.
Depending on the species, regulations, and practices, the two technologies can work together to maintain both human-readable information and identification data that can be processed by digital devices.
The reliability of the equipment becomes a matter of data quality.
In a traceability chain, the mechanical performance of a tag must not be considered in isolation from the data it carries.
Better retention means fewer replacements.
Better readability reduces the risk of misreads.
Good RFID compatibility prevents compatibility issues between devices.
Proper installation helps ensure the device stays securely attached to the animal.
This explains why the choice of manufacturer should never be based solely on the unit price of the tag.
A shared responsibility between manufacturers and professionals
A reliable system also requires:
● suitable products;
● clear documentation;
● compatible accessories;
● trained staff;
● consistent procedures;
● a steady supply.
The manufacturer is therefore involved in the early stages of traceability.
It must be able to assist the distributor or organization in selecting
equipment and adapting it to market realities.
ARDES: French Expertise in Animal Identification
Since 1964, ARDES has been developing visual and electronic animal identification solutions in Saint-Chef for professionals in the livestock and animal health industries.
The product line includes visual tags, RFID tags, electronic readers, implantable microchips, and the accessories needed to use them.
The goal is to offer much more than just a simple identifier: an identification solution tailored to the animal, the region, and the professional’s practices.
Are you developing an identification program or looking for a solution tailored to your
market?
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