Canadian Strategy for Traceability Research & Development 

2009 ‐ 2015  

BACKGROUNDER   

   

Canadian Strategy for Traceability Research & Development 

2009 ‐ 2015 

 

BACKGROUNDER   Trace R&D 2009 – Description.................................................................................................... 1 Context for Traceability R&D in agriculture and food ........................................................... 1 Purpose for the Strategy .......................................................................................................... 1 Scope........................................................................................................................................... 2 R&D Phases ........................................................................................................................... 2 Stakeholders .......................................................................................................................... 2 Fields of study....................................................................................................................... 2 Sectors .................................................................................................................................... 2 

Drivers........................................................................................................................................ 3 Policy Responses....................................................................................................................... 3 Financial and Program Support ............................................................................................. 4 

Preliminary Strategy Development Work ................................................................................ 4 Draft Vision ............................................................................................................................... 4 Current state assessment ......................................................................................................... 4 

Strategy Development Process ................................................................................................... 5   Appendices 

1. NAFTS Vision 2. Preliminary SWOT Analysis 3. List of Completed, Ongoing and Planned Pilot Projects as Identified by 

Traceability Task Team 4. Research Priorities as Identified by IGAC 5. Projects Identified by Universities, Research Centers and Veterinary Schools 6. Glossary 7. Acronyms 

  

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Canadian Strategy for Traceability Research and Development 

2009‐2015  

BACKGROUNDER 

Trace R&D 2009 – Description 

A Traceability Industry‐Government Advisory Committee (IGAC) was created in order to provide recommendations for the implementation of the livestock and poultry components of a National Agriculture and Food Traceability System (NAFTS). In April 2008, seven critical issues were identified by IGAC in the realisation of NAFTS, one of which being traceability R&D. An IGAC working group has been tasked to draft a national traceability R&D strategy in agriculture and food by October 2009.   In the development of such Strategy, IGAC selected the University of Manitoba to host TRACE R&D 2009: a research and development conference and strategic workshop for agriculture and food traceability. Participants from across Canada, the United States of America and the European Union representing governments, universities, research centres, research programs, the private sector and industry will attend.  The objectives of the Conference are to communicate the latest research findings and technologies and to facilitate collaborative work among the different stakeholders. The purpose of the Workshop is to appreciate and capitalize on the diverse interests of industry – users and providers, government, and academia stakeholders in forging a coordinated, targeted, and needs‐driven Canadian Traceability R&D Strategy for the agriculture and food sectors. The focus will be on critical issues and the creation of a compelling vision to 2015 for Traceability R&D encompassing clear strategic outcomes and guiding principles that will channel investment of resources, effort and collaborative work across various fields of work.   

Context for Traceability R&D in agriculture and food 

Purpose for the Strategy 

The aim of a national strategy is to address such issues as the identification and communication of research priorities, the communication of on‐going projects and projects’ findings; the development of a forum where collaborative work between governments, producers’ groups, service providers and the private sector is nurtured; the facilitation and measurement (and reporting) of technology adoption.  The Strategy will serve as a guiding document to channel the complementary and collaborative interests of key stakeholders.  While the Strategy offers strategic consistency, operational flexibility will be the domain of the stakeholders.  A strategic 

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management system is ultimately needed to differentiate and address the required elements of planning, leadership, implementation, and change management geared at strengthening collaborative work. 

Scope 

There are four different scope aspects that will need to be explored in the development of the Strategy. 

    R&D Phases The Phases are the chronological steps in the development of R&D. They are (a) the identification and communication of needs; (b) the provision of R&D funding and policy support, (c) the availability of expertise and the identification of collaborative partners, (d) the assessment of findings and technologies developed, (e) the potential transfer of knowledge into technology, and (f) the communication of results and the demonstration of technologies. The national traceability R&D strategy will need to cover all of those phases because of their interconnectivity importance.  A preliminary current state  Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (SWOT) analysis was conducted – Please see Appendix 2 

Stakeholders  Different stakeholders are involved in each of the above‐mentioned elements. Hence, the Strategy will need to be developed with an input from all of these stakeholders, including: (a) the users of the technology, (b) the private sector which develops technologies, (c) the scientific community, (d) the policy‐makers, (e) the funding agencies and (f) the communication and extension agents. 

Fields of study Traceability R&D work being conducted is mainly technology‐related. However, the Strategy should be broader and encompass, at a minimum, all of the following fields of study: (a) technologies and systems facilitating the identification and movement tracking of animals, food and agricultural products; (b) market access, cost, benefit and risk mitigation analyses; (c) sectors and critical points where traceability should be used, (d) hurdles and solutions to traceability technology and system adoption, (e) consumer confidence and demand for traceability; (f) traceability data and database management; (g) traceability legal and policy analysis, and (h) systems facilitating the identification and characterization of premises. 

Sectors The direction provided by the FPT Ministers of Agriculture is the development of a National Agriculture and Food Traceability System, starting with livestock and poultry. Collaborative work between sectors would strongly benefit the development of traceability systems. The Strategy should therefore cover not only the livestock and 

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poultry sectors, but also other agriculture and food sectors engaged in the development of traceability systems. 

Drivers 

Canada’s requirement for a national agriculture and food traceability system has emerged over time. We need to gain and maintain access to both domestic and international markets and to increase competitiveness through product differentiation and value attributes, to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, to protect the health of animals and people, and to reassure the public about the safety of our food supply. From chronic disease outbreaks of tuberculosis, to ice storms that knock out power and incapacitate farm feeding and milking systems, to the presence of BSE, avian influenza, anthrax and the capacity of diseases to pass  from animals to humans, Canada’s agriculture and food  industry and its governments face challenges that require co‐ordinated action.   Many of these threats are not new. The instantaneous transmission of information around the globe, however, the stringent requirements of export markets, the emergence of new diseases that can cross species and public demand for transparency are increasing pressure on Canada and other countries to prevent crises and to respond to those that arise rapidly and effectively. Creating a national agriculture and food traceability system is vital to Canada’s response. 

Policy Responses 

In July 2006, the Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture announced the need for a National Agriculture and Food Traceability System (NAFTS), beginning with livestock and poultry. Four sectors were prioritized in the development or enhancement of traceability systems: cattle, sheep, poultry and hogs.  In the fisheries sector, a Traceability Task Group has been created by the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) in November 2008. The objective of the Task Group is to recommend and initiate a coordinated and integrated traceability system for Canadian fish and seafood products from the wild capture fisheries and from aquaculture that would address national and international information requirements.  In October 2008, 34 companies from throughout the produce supply chain have endorsed a new plan developed by the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) 1 to move the supply chain to a common standard for electronic produce traceability by the end of 2012.  The initiative is designed to help the industry maximize the effectiveness of current traceback procedures, while developing a standardized industry approach to enhance the speed and efficiency of traceability systems for the future.                                                        1 Sponsored by Canadian Produce Marketing Association, Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association, 

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 The Canadian Grain Commission’s Canadian Identity Preserved Recognition System (CIPRS) is a voluntary program that certifies companies selling products through Identity Preserved programs that have effective quality management systems for the production, handling, and transportation of specialty grains, oilseeds or pulses.  

Financial and Program Support 

Funded under Growing Forward (2009‐2015), the Canadian Industry Traceability Infrastructure Initiative is a national Contribution Program, under the Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative (CIFSI). CIFSI will be delivered by AAFC’s Food Safety & Traceability Programs Division. It will invest in the development of industry‐led systems that collect and verify identification and movement of data, and accelerate and increase industry’s tracking and tracing capacity. The objective of the initiative is to develop or enhance traceability capacity for agriculture and agri‐food products through specified stages of production, processing and distribution.  The Canadian Enterprise Traceability Infrastructure component of Growing Forward will be delivered by the Provincial Governments. Eligible parties will include agricultural and food operations.  Among the three main national R&D funding agencies2, the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) identified traceability as a priority. 

Preliminary Strategy Development Work 

Draft Vision 

The vision for a National Agriculture and Food Traceability System (NAFTS) is “to better serve citizens, industry and Government. The system will provide timely, accurate, and relevant information to enhance emergency management, market access, industry competitiveness, and consumer confidence.”  The vision for a traceability R&D strategy should build on the above. Our proposed draft vision statement is as follows:  “Coordinated and needs‐driven research and development environment supporting the development and implementation of successful traceability systems in the Canadian agriculture and food sectors to 2015.  

                                                     

Current state assessment 

Most of the Canadian agricultural faculties conduct traceability research studies, mainly focused on socio‐economic aspects. Approximately 50 private companies involved in 

 2 Also includes the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). 

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traceability R&D have been identified to provide services in Canada, a significant increase over the last years. Most of these companies sell products to identify and record the movement of livestock and data management software which attempt addressing producers’ needs.    Critical issues faced in Canadian traceability R&D include: 

– Few research priorities identified and communicated – Little information and technology transfer among sectors – Little communications and extension conducted – No national, long‐term vision – No national, coordinated approach leading to duplication 

Strategy Development Process 

There are three main phases in the development of the Strategy. A description for each of the phases is provided in the figure below.   Stakeholder input/constructive feedback on the Strategy will be solicited in the drafting period as well as after the release of the document.  An IGAC Core Strategy Development Leadership Team will be tasked with drafting a five‐year Canadian Traceability R&D Strategy document and driving its dissemination. Completion of the Strategy document is anticipated October 31, 2009.  A plan for monitoring and reporting on progress towards the vision and Strategy revitalization will accompany the roll out of the Traceability R&D Strategy document. On‐going networking and information exchange will enhance Strategy development and impact.   

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• Environmental scan, critical issue/s. Survey – May 2009

• Buy-in, provide insights to a purposeful needs driven Strategy; Stakeholder engagement, participation • Accountability for success – Possible contribution • Networking – Who needs to be involved?

• Critical issue/s, transverse fields of work, target stakeholder • Development of Vision

Workshop – June, 2009

• Buy-in, provide insights to a purposeful needs (market, customer) driven Strategy; potential impact

• Insights on authentic collaboration, best practices • Networking – Who needs to be involved?

• Stakeholder input to IGAC Core Strategy Development

Leadership Team on DRAFT Strategy Consultations

June – Oct, 2009 • Buy-in, provide insights

• Networking to support collaboration Strategic Plan • Momentum, stakeholder involvement maintained

Oct, 2009 • Transition to implementation, monitoring progress, reporting

Appendix 1 – NAFTS Vision

NAFTS 2012 Vision Statement

The vision is to better serve citizens, industry and Government with a secure National Agriculture and Food Traceability System. The system will provide timely and relevant

information to enhance emergency management, market access, industry competitiveness, and consumer confidence.

Details behind the 2012 Vision:

• The goal is to have an integrated national agriculture and food traceability system

(NAFTS). • NAFTS will benefit Canada. Such a system will help the nation respond to

challenges, and seize opportunities. • This work will be done in an industry-government partnership. Neither can build

such a system alone. • NAFTS will have the capacity to trace products/attributes along the farm-to-fork

continuum. • Those benefiting from NAFTS will share the costs. • NAFTS will be built upon national standards to ensure credibility, integrity, and

efficiency. • All parties with legitimate needs and rights shall be able to access information

under common requirements that protects the privacy of individuals and proprietary information.

• NAFTS will be built using a phased approach – recognizing each sector/user’s unique risks and opportunities.

Appendix 2 - Preliminary SWOT Analysis The IGAC R&D working group conducted a current state assessment, including (a) a literature review; (b) a list of on-going projects in Canada, (c) a review of foreign and domestic funding programs; (d) the identification of domestic and international stakeholders (e.g. universities, research centres, private companies, industry groups, and governments), and (e) a list of research priorities identified by stakeholders. Through this process, the following strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were identified for each of the R&D elements. 1. The identification and communication of needs Strengths – Identification of needs by the livestock and

poultry sectors (through IGAC)

Weaknesses – No research priorities identified for sectors

other than livestock – Priorities mainly addressing needs of a

single commodity group – Priorities not communicated

Opportunities – The identification of needs shared by many

stakeholders

Threats – Further disconnect between users’ needs

and services provided – R&D not providing effective support in the

development and implementation of traceability systems.

2. The provision of R&D funding and policy support Strengths – Traceability has been identified as a priority

over the next five years (under Growing Forward)

Weaknesses – No national or provincial T-R&D initiative

announced under Growing Forward – No national T-R&D vision – No coordination between agencies

providing funding for traceability R&D

Opportunities – The alignment of the national traceability

R&D strategy with Growing Forward

Threats – R&D not providing effective support in the

development and implementation of traceability systems.

3. The availability of expertise and the identification of collaborative partners Strengths – Expertise available at the university and

private sector levels

Weaknesses – No forum to nurture joint projects between

the private sector, industry groups, service providers and governments

– Little pure science conducted

Opportunities – The enhancement of our R&D capacity

with closer collaborative work with U.S. stakeholders - U.S. universities and private companies are highly engaged in traceability;

Threats – R&D not fully responding to needs – R&D projects not using all resources

available – R&D projects not thinking “outside of the

box”

4. The assessment of findings and technologies developed Strengths – Technologies are tested for cost-

effectiveness through a sound process (e.g. via Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, Agri-Traçabilité Québec)

Weaknesses – No accreditation of traceability

technologies – Few traceability studies peer-reviewed

Opportunities – Build on work conducted by the

International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR)

Threats – The development of a traceability

infrastructure based on poor technology

5. The potential transfer of knowledge into technology Strengths

Weaknesses – Little long-term resources allocated for the

development of technologies

Opportunities – The development of technologies and

expertise which can be offered to other countries

Threats – Technologies developed outside Canada

and not meeting our needs

6. The communication of results and the demonstration of technologies Strengths – Traceability extension services provided in

Quebec and Alberta – Communications of traceability applications

(e.g. through the new GS1 Canada Strategic Advisory Council’s Traceability sub-Committee)

Weaknesses – R&D findings and technologies are mainly

communicated to the sector which helped financing the projects

– Overall, less extension services provided – Few or incomplete platform to inform about

on-going projects – Many projects are not published in

scientific journals

Opportunities

Threats – The duplication of work already conducted.

Government/Organization Title Cost Description C/O/PAlberta Age Verification 2,585,000$ Funding mobile field reps

Enhance ease of use of softwareOngoing

Alberta Beef Production Traceabililty Tools 141,851$ Provides livestock producers the ease of entering production records, once, via cell phone to web-based program. Provides source, age, and treatment verifiable records up loadable to CCIA for full transparent traceability

Ongoing

Alberta RFID Conference 39,100$ 2 day conference on new advances in RFID and traceability. OngoingAlberta Reducing variation in meat quality attributes in

branded beef products57,000$ Validate whether or not age verified, traceable cattle and value chain systems to determing if they

offer marketing advantages over commodity beef.Ongoing

Alberta Active RFID Tag $139,329 Test if technology will read a semi truck load of tagged livestock, test active RFID livestock tagging systems, test tag read rates, develop database interface system for data transfer, develp a final report evaluating the Technology and Performance, and comply with CCIA procedures for 90 day tag test.

Ongoing

Alberta Semi Active RFID tag technology 335,000$ To develop the next generation of UHF "battery-assisted" semi-passive RFID tag that will combine the benefits of tracking livestock groups, improved read distance, improved read rate of RFID tags, and backward compatibility for animal health traceback.

Ongoing

Alberta Auction Automation 591,840$ Develop an electronic A-Form for movement reportingAccelerate implemenation and integration of traceability by installing auction market hardware enhancements and provide staff trainingInstall specific hardware upgradesInstall real-time age verification hardware with the software

Completed

Alberta Enhancements and manifest scanning to e-database 290,000$ Development of Livestock Identification and Commerce Act (LICA), printing new manifests, and scanning of historical paper livestock manifests into electronic database.

Ongoing

Alberta Development of automatic truck reader Establish technology to effectively and efficiently track cattle movement. OngoingAlberta Horse - Equine Identification 37,600$ Final phase will evaluate the feasibillity of using various ISO forms of RFID for equine ID.

Initial findings show poor results. Equine ID may further need to be developedOngoing

Alberta Sheep - Lamb Traceability 474,500$ Year 1 - Use existing tracing methods - paper production records, electronic business recordsYear 2 - Use electronic methods to track lamb - Show benefits of RFID

Ongoing

Alberta Pork - Hog producer to slaughter plant/processor 225,000$ Capture animal movement information and integrated pork traceability OngoingAlberta Real time birth date submission To find simplified "producer friendly" technology to enable real time, accurate and efficient CCIA

birth date submissions.Completed

Alberta Development of an Electronic Manifest Year 1 alpha version completed. Test various wireless devices that can be utilized to transfer traceability information on particular premises at time of movement. Part 2 was to develop an electronic manifest.

Completed

Alberta Real time age verification project Use RFID and Remote Real Time (RRT) data communication to sort and assemble age-verified feeder cattle at feedlots. Second objective is to use RFID and RRT data communication to verify feeder cattle inventories at feedlots prior to shipment to packing plants.

Completed

Alberta Retina Scan Technology 39,067$ To evaluate retina scan technology as a secure and reliable animal ID system by scanning feeder cattle as they enter the feedlot and rescanning at slaughter time.

Completed

Alberta Investigating new automated carcass tracking technologies

80,000$ Assess the rugged 2D barcode system that links ID and carcass information within the in-line captive hook system and transferring all captured data to the trolley system.

Completed?

Alberta Automated Inventory/Process Management System 80,164$ Implementing a pilot that demonstrates an automated inventory/process management and recall system for the small to medium sized packing and processing plant from live animal through to wholesale distribution, balue added cooked meats production, and retail outlet to the consumer.

Completed?

Alberta Project: Automated Inventory and Process Management Traceability System

87,000$ This pilot demonstrates that an automated inventory/process management and recall system for the medium sized secondary processing industry from live animal through to wholesale distribution, value added cooked meats production, and retail outlets to the consumer.

Completed?

Alberta Potato - Whole Chain Traceability 87,000$ Goal is to implement a web-based information system application as a secure system for use by breeders, growers, packers, staff, transport company, retail and food service customers and consumers in order to capture source, process and movement information within integrated potato value chain

Completed?

Alberta RFID Lab Concept Investigate the development of an RFID laboratory to test technologies Ongoing?

Alberta EXTRA FOUND: Need to verify Initiated:Line Reader Technolgoy Upgrade (AF) in a federal plantMeat Inventory tracking system MITS system (FSI, AF) two provincial plantsProposedFederal Plant Audits and gaps in systems funded by CCIAIndustry forums Stage two - Assessment of current technology and industry concerns, readinessAddress gaps in system illustrated in BSE traceouts - working with CFIA, CCIA

ATQ FDX Field Trial Comparative assessment of FDX (full duplex) tags from 3 different companies with HDX (half duplex) tags currently used in the bovine sector, testing reading performance and strength of materials. The project will help add more options at the next tag call for bids, which will occur in 2009, in order to optimize traceability costs for the entire sector without affecting the system's reliability.

Ongoing

ATQ Lettuce Identification and Traceability To develop a general and flexible basic structure that can support other horticultural production sectors during the development of traceability systems. The pilot project will examine logistical and technical feasibility of traceability system in the greenhouse and garden lettuce industry that is compatible with international systems. Within the framework of this project, among other objectives, product identification methods will be tested, as well as various marking and labelling equipment, in addition to evaluating a data management system for retracing products in the event of a recall.

Planned

ATQ Pilot Project for Table Eggs Coding The objective of this pilot project is to find table eggs coding equipment for producer-graders and perform a series of tests in the field. For large scale graders, testing of laser coding solutions in order to improve the systems currently in place, particularly in terms of data entry automation will be conducted.

Ongoing

ATQ Bovine Identifier Retention The implementation of solutions for countering the loss of identifiers, the impacts of cold temperatures and aging on identifier retention as well as verifying, with laboratory expertise, the resistance of the material used to manufacture the tags. 3 year trial - thru 2009. Also tested the use of extra-large tags containing a RFID component in order to check whether this option might be an interesting choice for the dairy industry.

Ongoing

ATQ Transport Pilot Project In collaboration with various major suppliers, ATQ continued to develop solutions adapted to smaller trucks (pickups with Featherlite, for example) and for larger trucks (ten wheel trucks…)

Ongoing

ATQ Transport Pilot Project [2] In the summer of 2007, following the results from the field testing with various equipment, both for small and large trucks, ATQ decided to develop a software application which would be installed in the handheld computers included in the solutions offered to carriers. The software is called TransTraq.

Ongoing

ATQ Live Animal Transport Project - Information Transfer Component

See CITP Project Completed

ATQ Live Animal Transport Project - Lots Component See CITP Project CompletedATQ Pilot Project for Evaluating Tool Performance - Status

TagsSubsidized by AAFC and CITP, the project was introduced in 2007. The objective was the imprvement and increased use of automated tools for collecting and transferring traceability data by producers by testing RFID status tags and by performing a targeted information campaign. This project provided a way to view the possibility, for several production, to have access to a user-friendly way of meeting their traceability requirements but also to receive a certain added value in terms of using RFID identifiers. Users were able to automatically entera date of birth or death, a specific location (retention area, pasture, building), a production category (dairy, light or heavy), a specific vaccine, a gestation or neutering.

Completed

ATQ Pilot Project on Idetifier Retention for Bovine in Loose Housing

Implemented in January 2005, following a decision from the bovine tag review committee, the pilot project on the retention and quality of electronic identifiers and visual tags for bovine in loose housing was completed in October 2006 with the presentation of the final report. Lead to Bovine Identifier Retention Pilot listed above.

Completed

ATQ Ovine Pilot Project After two years implementing the traceability system in the ovine sector, the lamb andsheep producers decided it would be worth trying new identifiers. The ovine identification pilot project was therefore implemented in around twenty Quebec farms in January 2006.

Completed

ATQ Table Egg Pilot Project In progress since early 2005, the project’s objective was to establish a single identification and traceability system for flocks of light breed birds in order to better protect the health status of avian population. This system was able to monitor the movements of the flocks of birds throughout the chain of production, from the time of birth of the breeder pullet up to the slaughtering of the spent fowl. Hatcheries, carriers and graders had to make their traceability declarations for every flock of bird and batch of egg movement. The pilot project also helped establish a single identification system from the farm to the table, for every egg produced, graded and commercialized by producers registered in the quality assurance program of the Fédération des producteurs d’oeufs de consommation du Québec (FPOCQ). The eggs therefore had a new coding which provided the laying premises, bestbefore date, the Julian day and location where grading occurred.

Completed

ATQ Cervid Pilot Project The project's objectives were to evaluate: various identifiers for the cervid certification program; the possibility of replacing the "H of A" tag by the double identifcation system; using electronic identification and reading methods to facilitate the inventory taking process; producers administrative burden regarding the transfer of traceability information to ATQ andother goernmental requirements; the management of cervid movements.

Completed

ATQ Original First Transport Pilot Project Specific objectives are: evaluate different integrated solutions in order to meet regulation requirements for carriers; assess whether it is possible to integrate these solutions to current carrier operations; determine the added value of these solutions for operations not having a direct link to traceability; evaluate the carrier's administrative burden for transferring data to ATQ; determine potential suppliers; assess the impacts of using GPS technologies for the identification of the premises visited by the carriers.

Completed

British Columbia Poultry Pilot The project was based on poultry board information and assigned geo-coordinates to identified parcels using ortho-photos. Premises identification numbers were provided from CCIA, and the CCIA database was modified to receive and store this data.

Ongoing

CCIA Tag Retention All tags are being tested on this 1 year field trial OngoingCITP Development of Electronic Manifests 150,000$ Explored the various forms of electronic recording and reporting mechanisms that involved using

wireless technology on trucks.Completed$93,273

CITP Walk Through Readers: Building and Testing a Working Prototype

150,000$ The applicant built and tested a prototype system that could be integrated on a working livestock trailer. The trailer was used to capture cattle movement on and off the trailer, while establishing a referece of the premise where the trailer was located.

Completed$139,876

CITP Transportation of Live Animals - Lots Component 111,505$ Developed and tested adaptations to the existing automated systems for live animal transporters in order to permit the gathering, processing and transfer of information pertaining to the traceability of cattle, sheep and pork, both for individual identification and for lot identification.

Completed $111,505

CITP Transportation of Live Animals - Information Transfer Component

103,945$ Developed and tested modifications to the automated systems for live animal transporters, auctions and slaughter facilities in order to transmit information on the traceability of cattle, sheep, hogs between the transporters and the various premises.

Completed$103,945

CITP Livestock Markets Pilot Project with RFID 99,000$ Demonstrated, first hand, in real sales situation, the challenges surrounding reading ISO RFID tags. Different types of reading systems were installed across Canada on a sale day and results demonstrated the gaps in wholelife traceability and the benefits of low frequency RFID.

Completed$98,918

CITP Enhancement of Animal Traceability Systems for Transfer Information Accurately to Government

99,000$ Adapted an existing system to traceability regulation changes and adopted new methods of posting data to allow the end user to efficiently validate and reference the data. Project activities included: collection of age verification data, verification that the current system functioned appropriately, installation of new equipment capable of handling larger data requirements, validation of data exchange with the database service provider through one location.

Completed$75,392

CITP Auction Market Automation 144,970$ The project enhanced the utilization of existing group lot identification systems and improved the electronic capability of participating auction markets.

Completed$136,560

CITP Multi event uploader 55,902$ The applicant develop a desktop software application (multi-event uploader for providing birthdates, tag distribution, tag retirement etc…) that allowed the user to control information and store it for as long as they require and automatically upload directly to the CCIA reducing dependency on the website. The project also improved dial up access and reduced the time required for uploading.

Completed$44,528

CITP IDEX 98,240$ The applicant customized the Ontario Livestock Exchange computer software toincorporate the RFID tagging process to identify livestock.

Completed$94,059.9

CITP Rearing Fed Cattle 63,320$ The applicant implemented a standardized system for grouping and mapping to facilitate access and meaningful analysis of tracked data. The project gathered information on birth dates, husbandry practices and location changes.

Completed$63,180

CITP Meat Inventory and Tracking System 48,500$ The applicant implemented a pilot that demonstrates an automated meat inventory and tracking system for the small packing and processing industry. Linkages were shown throughout every processing segment, linking individual animal ID numbers to individual meat cuts utilized throughout the facility. This automated system was determined to be acceptable for most small sized red meat processors with domestic and international markets

Completed$45,500

CITP Implement traceability into existing cattle facility 53,000$ The project facilitated the implementation of a traceability system in an existing facility to allow traceability and age verification. The company engaged in consultations with other companies regarding traceability programs and disseminated the information obtained to interested producers through seminars, peer groups and training sessions.

Completed$36,823.35

CITP Use of precision traceability systems to minimize risk and maximize gain of primary producers

50,000$ The applicant demonstrated the benefits of developing an interface where CFIA inspectors can communicate with all stakeholders using the same automated recall system as the retailer to minimize the scope of a food safety recall and minimize the risk of loss to primary producers. Simulations were run to show how information could be relayed back to the producer and how they could work together to minimize the impact.

Completed$43,973

CITP Tracking Commingled Cattle 90,276$ The applicant designed and manufactured a mobile portable tracking system to track commingled cattle and link the premise ID’s as the animals go to and from community pastures, fairs, exhibitions, rodeos and buying stations. The project demonstrated the different types of technologies that are available in real time situations, time constraints and determined the challenges of future tracking and tracing.

Completed$88,776

CITP Transporation of Live Animals - Information Transfer Component

67,024$ The project targeted the reduction in time and transcription errors in documents related to traceability. The project added a complimentary “chip system” that included sex, date of birth, etc. Activities included the evaluation of a complimentary chip system to expedite and improved data transfer.

Completed$67,023.75

CITP Synchronized Data Flow of premise ID, unique CCIA tag ID, & Birth Date from CCIA to Producer Pasture

98,794$ This pilot project brought directly to the producer's cell phone/PDA information on the tags purchased and the premise information. The producer, through a simple application, was able to select the tag of the animal , add key data like visual identification tag, birth date and other information and then submitted this data.

Completed$98,793

CITP Synchronized Data Flow of premise ID, unique CCIA tag ID, & Birth Date from Producer Pasture to CCIA database

44,800$ This project brought together Premise ID, CCIA Tag Number and Animal Birth Date to create a synchronized record from the producer back to the national traceability system completing the first animal record in the animal tracking system. This system was integrated with the producer's processes to accelerate the speed and accuracy of the data entry to the traceability system and improve the overall data integrity of the national traceability system.

Completed$44,800

Manitoba (MAFRI) Food Traceability Proof of Concepte (FT POC) This FT POC project objectives included documenting the physical product and information flow from “farm to fork” for two MB food value chains – pork and beef – and corresponding information sharing requirements/opportunities, and to develop and present a prototype, software model demonstrating the value of food traceability to private and public sector stakeholders. The approach balanced public sector animal health and food product safety requirements with private sector brand protection/enhancement and supply/value chain improvements. MAFRI provided seed funding and each of the stakeholders provided value-in-kind contributions (management time, access to relevant data, etc.) to complete the required FT POC project activities

Completed

Nova Scotia None None None NoneNSERC University of Toronto Data management for RFID data $68,511 Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is a rapidly evolving technology field with

numerous applications. This proposal will study the data management issues involved in applications of this technology. In particular our research will be focused on creating middleware that efficiently cleans, indexes and efficiently warehouses rfid data supporting several novel query types pertinent to such data. Several exciting research questions arise in this context in the areas of stream data management, data quality and interactions of streams with stored data, that we are planing to explore.

Completed

Ontario OnTrace Pilot Agricultural Premises Project Completed and Agricultural Premises Registry Pilot to identify solutions and gaps in the use of existing data to populate a multi-commodity premises registry

Completed

Ontario Cattle Tracking and Age Verification Pilot Project A pilot project that implemented and evaluated technology solutions to electronically collect, store and transfer tracking and age verification informationwhere cattle are co-mingled.

Completed

Ontario Traceability Information Management Systems 110,000$ Needs Analysis and Recommendations for the Producers and Vendors of Oilseeds and Tree fruit Completed

Ontario Analysis of SME's on implementing facility level traceability systems

500,000$ A pilot which implemented facility level traceability systems in SME's along the agri-food chain (Gap analysis, barriers to adoption). Broken down into 8 Categories: 1. On Farm Crops ($60K), 2. On Farm Field Crops ($60K), 3. On Farm Livestock - Individual ID ($40K), 4. On Farm Livestock - Group ID ($60K), 5. Transportation ($90K), 6. Processing ($110K), 7. Other Livestock ($90K), 8. Other Crops ($90K).

Completed

Ontario RFID in dairy herd management and traceability 35,000$ To demonstrate how adoption and application of RFID technology, readers and software, can improve dairy herd management, labour efficiency, treatment accuracy and traceability.

Completed

Ontario RFID in veal management and traceability To demonstrate how adoption and application of RFID technology, readers and software, can improve veal management, labour efficiency, treatment accuracy and traceability.

Ontario Implement CanTrace Standard 33,750$ Company seeked to streamline the business processes, including inventory management, asset managemetn and sales tracking. Company also wanted efficient and effective recall of finished product using standards that were scaleable in the future.

Ontario Poultry - CanTrace Standard 36,600$ Drivers for implementing traceability were better recall ability, facilitating increased food safety and due diligence, inventory management of non-chicken inputs to production, and streamlined order picking and shipment.

Ontario Butter - CanTrace Standard 51,500$ Business objectives for implementing a traceability system were to have improved business management through production scheduling, asset management and sales.

Ontario Cheese - CanTrace Standard 49,320$ A system was required that provided traceability, asset manaagement and sales tracking. Business objectives included improved inventory management, faster and more complete recall ability and additional production efficiency.

Ontario Nut and peanut free manufacturing and baking 20,000$ To provide traceability of its products in support of product attribute claims and general recall capability.

Ontario Slaughterhouse custom traceability 13,600$ To reduce lot size in the event of a recall, label all outgoing meat cuts with a lot code identifier, track carcasses back to the shipment they arrived on, and streamline inventory management and FIFO in the cooler.

Ontario Tomato canning 24,000$ To increase inventory management of unlabelled cans, and increase the speed at which they could perform a recall. Added a traceability module to their current accounting software, and installed wireless handheld barcode scanners and an additional barcode printer in the shipping area.

Ontario Pickles 27,000$ To add a traceability module to interface with their current finance software. To expand finished product lot code assignment and collection to include all products produced and replace their paper-based system with electronic data management. Aimed to improve the speed and efficiency with which they could conduct a recall.

Ontario Warehouse 26,000$ To improve inventory management, link production runs to finished prouct lot numbers, reduce lot size, and quickly and accurately perform a recall. New system provides more functionality.

Ontario Wines 45,000$ To implement traceability and lot tracking modules within their existing software system to incorporate the identification of inputs (including linking incoming grapes to the filed and grower), tracking raw materials and work-in-progress through production, and the establishment of automated recall capability.

Ontario Wines [2] 24,000$ To implement a traceability system that allowed for electronic capture of all of the production information, and facilitate the company's ability to quickly and efficiently pursue a recall beyond finished goods.

Ontario Greenhouse vegetable pack house 20,000$ To track individual boxes of produce from the greenhouse through to the customer. They endeavored to develop a prototype lot code box labeling system on one packing line that, if tested successfully, could be implemented in all other packing lines at a future date. It was required that the labeling solution provide a unique identifier for each carton of produce packed and that the solution work on plain or waxy cardboard packaging.

Ontario Purebread Limousin 20,000$ To electronically collect information on inputs to their cattle and to work with their local processing facility to uniquely identify each cut of beef sold and allow it to be tracked back to the specific animal slaughtered.

Ontario Vegetable grower and pack house 45,000$ To be able to track produce from the field to the packaged bags at the retail level.Wanted a unique identifier on each bag to track produce from the retail level back to packing line, storage bin and the field.Wants to incorporate their farm production software to build a complete traceability system.

Ontario Greenhouse gegetable grower and pack house 24,000$ To be able to print a unique lot and date code on each carton of produce to strengthen their reputation in the marketplace.

Ontario Feedlot 25,000$ To record individual animal treatments as well as record RFID tags of the animals moving in/out of the facility. To develop a traceability system that would allow for electronic collection of information within the budget requirements.

Ontario Vegetable grower and pack house [2] 29,000$ To track produce from field to the packaged bags at a retail store. Move from paper to electronic.

Ontario Dairy cow marketing and selling 59,000$ To allow the ability to collect movement information electronically as well as record health events for each animal.

Ontario Honey 30,000$ Current system is paper based. Wants to collect information electronically.Ontario Cow/Calf 20,000$ To collect information on cattle inputs, and increase market opportunities through brand

recognition.OnTrace Ontario Agri-Food Premises Registry Create a "distributed architecture" model to access data - NOT a cetralized database

Data from MPAC, Ontario Land Parcel database forms basic fabricAssign unique identifiers that meet national standardsIdentify, characterize and validate premises

Ongoing

OnTrace Enhance the Ontario Premises Registry PlannedOnTrace Develop self sufficient business model PlannedOnTrace Establish strategy for movement tracking PlannedSaskatchewan Community Pastures Program RFID Pilot • Investigate the potential uses of RFID Readers and associated equipment and software

designed for use with RFID tags in the provincial community pastures program• Test hardware and software to see workability under field conditions• Assess and demonstrate the benefits for Pastures Program – i.e. staff and patrons • Evaluate software for production records and management systems• Assess the constraints/challenges of using technology in day to day field operations• Provide patrons with a computer records (either electronic or print out) on individual animals and their treatments• Estimate costs for implementing a usable/useful system in community pastures• Estimate additional time (if needed) at various stages:o Reading at entering/exiting pastureso Entering data into databaseo Electronically Recording treatments on individual animalso Adjusting equipment/readers

Ongoing

West Hawk Lake West Hawk Lake Zoning Project * Coordinated by the Canadian Animal Health Coalition* To establish a control point for farm animal movement (currently excluding poultry) on the only commercial road connecting Ontario and Manitoba.* The project is in the final state of the limited pilot phase - The site is open whenever the Manitoba Transporation truck scales are open, but not on a 24/7 basis. The expectation is to be fully operational by March of 2009.* Control is maintained by entry of animal sender and receiver detail (one up/one down manifest information) and confirmation of their passage through WHL on contracted data services provided by CCIA. The pilot has also integrated selected movement with ATQ in Quebec and thus tested actual practice.* Technical support is provided to truckers.* RFIDs are read when available.* Funding has been by AAFC with in-kind contributions from various other organizations, governments, and industry groups.

Ongoing

Organization Has your organization identified any traceability related research priorities?

What type of background information/criteria was used in identifying such priorities (ex. Based on risk, etc.)?

Priority Level Status

FSQPD The Readiness for Full Traceability in the Canadian Meat Traceability Based on readiness of the sectors to participate

FSQPD The Readiness for Full Traceability of Selected Horticultural Commodities in Canada

Based on readiness of the sectors to participate

OMAFRA Facility Level Traceability System development and implementation based on CanTrace Data Standards

Implementation of traceability at the facility level provides producers and processors with the tools to better manage potential emergencies/recalls. In addition, such systems have the potential to provide value to the operation and the consumer

Medium 20 facility level traceability pilot projects were completed in March 2008. Additional pilots are proposed to address sector gaps (points in the agri-food continuum not addressed in the previous 20 pilot projects)

OMAFRA Maintenance of facility level traceability systems Following the completion of 20 facility level traceability pilot projects, it became evident that pilot facilities required additional assistance to keep their systems fully operational and to modify their systems as their operations change.

Medium Proposal and strategy developed.

OMAFRA Cost benefit analyses of traceability systems in the agri-food sector with development of a CBA tool to evaluate traceability systems in SMEs across the agri-food continuum

Following the completion of 20 facility level traceability pilot projects, it became evident that an appropriate cost benefit analysis structure was not readily available to properly assess the 20 SME pilot facilities. Illustration of benefits to adoption of traceability systems is important to enhancing adoption of such systems.

High Proposal and strategy developed. Project development initiated.

OMAFRA Full chain traceability system development and implementation Following the completion of 20 facility level traceability pilot projects, it was determined that the next step in traceability research is to develop and implement traceability systems across supply chains. The essence of this research is to utilize traceability as the information sharing tool to transform a supply chain into a “value chain”. Such transformation may include the validation of product claims (i.e. “local”, “organic”, “corn-fed beef”, etc.) using a traceability information system.

High Proposal and strategy being developed.

OMAFRA Enhancing adoption of traceability systems Under a voluntary system, removal of barriers and illustration of benefits is necessary to increase adoption of traceability systems. Specific initiatives have not been finalized but will focus on efforts to reduce cost and simplify the process of development, implementation and maintenance of traceability systems. An example may include research into the recycling of RFID tags to reduce waste and cost.

Low Strategy not yet developed.

OnTrace Consumer response to traceability. We hear anecdotal evidence that consumers are looking for verification of the source of products. ‘Eat Local’ programs are one symptom of this desire. But what ‘in-home’ evidence is there that would lead us to believe that more unique or more traceable products can attract consumers? If consumers are prepared to pay a premium for traceability, how much?

OnTrace Precision geo-positional technologies. What traceability systems exist that can trace a single grape or apple? Pieces of the technology are already available, but what examples exist where gate to plate tracking of these types of products is done? How could technologies be combined to deliver this type of precise traceability?

OnTrace Mobility traceability devices. What proven mobile devices are available for producers for traceability purposes? How could these devices be configured for multiple purposes beyond just traceability?

OnTrace Whole-chain dialogue. We know that in order for the benefits of traceability to flow back to the producer, that each link in the chain needs to openly share data. What means exist (or perhaps need to be created) to encourage this whole-chain ‘dialogue’? How do we get producers, transporters, processors, distributors and retailers to work together?

OnTrace Real-time mapping technologies. There are systems that can track shipments in close to real-time. Which ones could be applied to food traceability so that information is automatically exchanged, thus relieving participants from manually entering traceability information?

OnTrace GS1 compatibility. We know that GS1 has a set of international identification standards and a location registry that is used almost universally in retail and distribution of consumer products. How could the national food traceability system incorporate that capability into its implementation?

CTMA, CFC and CHEP * A significant amount of the information required for a traceability system is currently kept by provincial poultry marketing boards (for the regulated poultry industry only). In 2007, the NPG completed a gap analysis - Found that systems used to gather traceability information differ from province to province, but: all farms are uniquely defined with electronically managed identifiers; flock information (e.g. premises, flock/product movement) is collected; due to the development of provincial Avian Influenza emergency management plans information on poultry farms could be accessed within an hour if need be and if the appropriate confidentiality agreements were in place; and, agreements with other industry partners and government regarding information sharing already exist.* Existing traceability systems for poultry meet the needs of the poultry industry, even though not all of the criteria for traceability developed by the FPT TTT have been met. Meeting the FPT TTT requirements is viewed by the poultry industry as a public good, since it will likely only have marginal benefits to the sector.

As referred to in the previous answer, and in the poultry implementation plans for traceability and animal movement, the NPG has conducted a gap analysis that reviewed the FPT TTT criteria and the current traceability systems in use in the poultry industry. In general, these systems meet the needs of the poultry industry, however, they may not meet the criteria of the FPT TTT.

CTMA, CFC and CHEP Continued… Continued...

* The poultry industry would like to see a comprehensive business case that assesses how difficult it would be to address each gap with respect to the FPT TTT traceability criteria and to compare this with the benefit to the sector and the Canadian public. This is important to help develop support within the poultry industry for moving traceability information management to the level being requested by government.

Organization Contact Department ProjectU of Guelph Andreas Boecker Dept of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics * The Role of Traceability Standards in Vertical Coordination and Integration of Livestock Supply Chains

* From Riverbed to Restaurant: An Economic Assessment of Implementing a Traceability System in the Great Lake Sturgeon Industry* The Traceability and Authenticity of Foods from Analytical, Supply Chain and Consumer Perspectives* An Assessement of the Business Value of Traceability Systems in Fishery Supply Chains

Lacombe John Basarab * Read rate on two multi-panel RFID reader systems for use in beef cattle - Completed- Suggested that research is lacking in addressing "speed of commerce" issues - i.e. need to find products that can read tags quickly and accurately (100% accuracy).

St. Hyacinthe Gilles Doyon AAFC Research * Packaging and safe transportation of Canadian wine for National and export markets. Have built a net of industry and research collaborators in Europe, USA, Souoth Africa, Australia…* Traceability and quality assurance systems in food supply chains.

AAFC Gabriel Piette * Over the last couple of years, we have struggled to define a R&D agenda in traceability within the Research Branch. A few scientists were interested and conducting various projects aiming at tracing either commodities (animal and plant pests) or agri-food products (including livestock). All of these projects were very applied in nature and were more concerned with validation of existing technologies than creating new ones, and, not surprisingly, all traceability projects submitted to peer review were denied funding, for lack of scientific merit.

CONTINUED * All the technology required to implement full traceability in the agri-food sector (including livestock and poultry) already exists and is often already used successfully somewhere else in the world. Progress in traceability technology is likely going to come from sector like computing, data management, electronics, and nanotechnologies, in which the Department has no expertise. We do believe, however, that support to industry for the identification, implementation and validation of traceability technologies is a need, and it could and should be addressed within Growing Forward, as a support to innovation, in the form of projects submitted for support by science clusters, or development projects submitted within the new MII program (to be elaborated).

U of A Graham Plastow Director, Alberta Bovine Genomics Program * Used for confirming identity* Development of the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Livestock Genomics Technology* Helping livestock and poultry sectors establish the DNA sampling procedures needed to help incorporate DNA verification into its animal identification procedures.* Understanding of desirable product attributes

U of A Ellen Goddard Department of Rural Economy SEE ATTACHED REPORT* "In that report we identified a number of areas requiring further research on costs and benefits associated with animal product traceability systems (report focuses on beef but not exclusively). A number of projects that were identified in this report are being initiated over the next few months - research on consumer demand for traceability in restaurants - research on costs and impediments to introduction of traceability by SME meat processors and by supermarket chains. If you are interested in any of these projects or the possibility of extending these projects to a national level and a diversity of sectors please feel free to contact me."

Alberta Ag. Jim Hansen Business Development - Beef * Work with Optibrand Co from Fort Collins using the biometric identifier retina scan for traceability* Working with the Identigen Co using DNA to trace or track from pasture to plate (following meat)* Working with Destron Co with an active tag project

Colorado State Dustin Pendell Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics * Efficient Mangement Strategies for a Contagious Animal Disease Outbreak: Probability Distributions of Economic Impacts from FMD* Benefit Cost Analysis of the NAIS* Evaluation of Alternative Surveillance and Control Zone Options in NAADSM* Assessing the Impact of the NAIS With Regard to Beef, Pork and Lamb Harvesting and Rendering Facilities in the US* Value of Animal Traceability Systems in Managing an FMD Outbreak* The Economic Impacts of a FMD Outbreak: A Regional Analysis* Post Slaughter Traceability* Review: Sheep Traceability Systems in Selected Countries Outside of North America* Review: Swine Traceability Systems in Selected Countries Outside of North America* Review: Animal Identification Systems in North America* Review: Identification and Traceability of Cattle in Selected Countries Outside of North America

Appendix 6 ‐ GLOSSARY  

 Animal identification 

The identification and registration of an animal individually, with a unique identifier; or collectively by its epidemiological unit or group, with a unique group identifier (OIE). 

 Assembly centre 

A site used exclusively to collect animals of a given specie, without them having any contact with other livestock or poultry, before being conveyed to an abattoir.   Holdings, collection centres and markets, at which bovine animals or swine originating from different holdings are grouped together to form consignments of animals intended for trade (EU Directive 64/432).  

 Automatic ID  

The process of capturing or reading machine‐readable ID devices without human intervention.   

Backward trace  A trace back starts at a defined point. The search moves in the direction of the source of infection or problem, in effect in reverse from the item’s normal direction of movement through the agri‐food continuum.  

Barcode  A precise arrangement of parallel lines (bars) and spaces that vary in width to represent machine‐readable data. This does not apply to 2D barcodes.  

Carrier   A person that transports animals in a conveyance (CLIA).  Certification  

Documentation of processes or exclusions that have been associated with a product from its origins or stated processing points.  

Commingling The mixing or assembling of animals from one premises with animals from any other premises, including but not limited to, loading animals from more than one premises on the same truck, trailer, vessel, or railroad car (Export Glossary of USDA’s APHIS). 

 Compartment  

One or more establishments under a common biosecurity management system containing an animal subpopulation with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease or specific diseases for which required surveillance, control and biosecurity measures have been applied for the purpose of international trade (OIE). 

  

Conveyance Any aircraft, carriage, motor vehicle, trailer, railway car, vessel, cargo container or other contrivance used to move persons, animals or things (Health of Animals Act).  

Credence attributes  Product attributes which a purchaser cannot personally verify, but must rather rely on manufacturer or retailer claims. Examples include nutritional content, cultivation techniques, and product origin. Attributes such as taste, tenderness, and colour are not credence attributes as they can be personally verified by the purchaser.   

Country code  A three‐digit numeric code representing the name of a country in accordance with ISO 3166.  

Data, Master Information that seldom changes. Master data applies to product, party and location information (Can‐Trace). 

 Data, Transactional 

Data that is unique to each individual transaction. Examples include lot number, shipment identifier and shipment date (Can‐Trace). 

 DNA tag  

Plastic visual ear tag attached to an animal when procuring a small tissue sample. A unique number assigned to the ear tag links the animal to the sample. DNA can be sampled from meat or meat products anywhere in the chain (even after consumption) and can be matched back to the original samples and therefore linked back the animal to its origin.  

Dual ID/dual tagging  Animal identification procedure by which two ear tags or identification devices with the same identification number on them are applied to the same animal. If one device fails or is lost, the ID of the animal is preserved in the second identifier.  

 Emergency 

An abnormal situation which, to limit damage to persons, property, adverse economic impact, or the environment, requires prompt action beyond normal procedures (FPT TTT).  

Epidemiological unit  A group of animals with a defined epidemiological relationship that share approximately the same likelihood of exposure to a pathogen. This may be because they share a common environment (e.g. animals in a pen), or because of common management practices. Usually, this is a herd or a flock. However, an epidemiological unit may also refer to groups such as animals belonging to residents of a village, or 

animals sharing a communal animal handling facility. The epidemiological relationship may differ from disease to disease, or even strain to strain of the pathogen (OIE). 

 Forward trace  

Starts at a defined point, usually the known infection or problem food item. From this defined point, the search advances from the problem item and all contacts henceforth. Also called “tracking.”  

Geographical Information System (GIS) A System of computer software and hardware, data, and personnel to help manipulate, analyze and present information related to a spatial location.  

Global Positioning System (GPS) The use of satellites and a receiver to provide location coordinates for a specific geographic coordinate intersection on earth.   

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) An internationally recognized science‐based, preventative approach to food safety that addresses hazards by anticipating and preventing them, rather than by inspecting a final product.  

Herd  All animals of a given species on a premises (CLIA).  

Identification methods  The means of applying an identifier to an animal or a group of animals, as for example ear tags, brands, or breed registry certificates.  

Identifier, activation of  An identifier has been applied to an animal and the number of the identifier has been reported (FPT TTT). 

 Identifier, allocation of 

The allocation by a traceability agency to a manufacturer of identification numbers to be printed or inscribed onto identifiers (FPT TTT).  

 Identifier, application of 

Identifying an animal through the application of an identifier (FPT TTT).  Identifier, distribution of 

The sale or delivery of an identifier from a manufacturer to an identifier distributor (FPT TTT).  

 Identifier, issuance of 

The sale or delivery of identifiers to users of these devices from a manufacturer or an identifier distributor (FPT TTT). 

 Identifier, retirement of 

Reporting the identification number of an animal when slaughtered, at disposal of its carcass, or when it is exported. (FPT TTT). 

 Individual animal identification  

A means of identification that provides the capability to differentiate one animal from another.   

Linked premises All those premises which are considered as a single epidemiological unit because of the regular movement of animals/products between them 

 Lot (the term “group” is used when referring to animals) 

A set of units of a product, which have been produced and/or processed or packaged under similar circumstances.  The lot is determined by the parameters established beforehand by the organization.  A set of units may be reduced to a single unit of product (Can‐Trace).  Used but not defined under Dairy Products Regulations, the Meat Inspection Regulations, the Health of Animals Regulations, the Livestock and Poultry Carcass Grading Regulations; never refers to animals but food products  

Machine‐readable ID  Any form of identification that can be read by a machine. Both barcodes and EID are forms of machine‐readable ID. Machine readability is important for automatic ID and automatic processing.  

Movement group A group of livestock or poultry or animal products of the same species that move together in a single movement that begins when they are loaded on a conveyance at a premises and ends when unloaded at another premises (CLIA).  

National Identification System  An identification system that, through established national standards and defined data elements, enables compatibility of systems while providing the efficient (single point of entry) availability of agreed‐on information in the agri‐food continuum.  

One up/one down system Each participant within the food supply chain is responsible for maintaining records about the products they receive (one up) and where they were shipped to, or sold (one down) (Can‐Trace). 

 Performance targets 

Documented expectations for meeting a specified level of performance in relation to a standard (FPT TTT). 

 Personal information 

Information about an identifiable individual that is recorded in any form including, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, 

 1) any identifying number, symbol or other particular assigned to the individual, 2) the address of the individual, 3) the name of the individual where it appears with other personal information relating 

to the individual or where the disclosure of the name itself would reveal information about the individual, but, for the purposes of sections 7, 8 and 26 and section 19 of the Access to Information Act, does not include a) the title, business address and telephone number of the individual. (Federal 

Privacy Act).  Portal 

Single electronic window through which federal, provincial, territorial governments and industry access specified traceability information (FPT TTT).  

Premises A premises is a parcel of land defined by a legal land description or, in its absence, by geo‐referenced coordinates, on which or on any part of which animals, plants or food are grown, kept, assembled, or disposed of (FPT TTT).  

Premises geo‐referencing The process of defining the boundaries of a given premises in terms of its spatial relationship to the land (FPT TTT). 

 Premises group   All animals of a given species on a given premises (CLIA).  Premises identification 

Premises identification consists of the characterization and the allocation of a unique identifier to a premises whose geographical location has been appropriately provided (FPT TTT).  

Premises identification number allocator System providing through an algorithm a unique and single identification number to a premises when information to identify it has been provided and validated.    

Premises of departure The premises where a given animal was loaded into a conveyance and transported from the premises (FPT TTT).  

Premises of destination The premises to which a given animal is transported and unloaded from a conveyance (FPT TTT). 

 Premises of origin 

The premises where a given animal was born (FPT TTT).  

Preparedness Developing effective policies, procedures and plans for managing emergencies (Canadian Centre for Management Development; Action‐Research Roundtable on Crisis Management). 

 Prevention 

Preventing an emergency from happening or reducing the consequences associated with an emergency situation (Canadian Centre for Management Development; Action‐Research Roundtable on Crisis Management).   

Radio frequency identification An ID device that uses radio frequency technology. The RFID device or method of identification includes ear tags, boluses, implants (injected), and tag attachments (transponders applied during the tagging process). 

 Receiver 

The person who is present at the destination and is responsible for confirming (and reporting) the arrival of the shipment of animals and meat products (CLIA). 

 Recording 

Written or electronic documents are kept on premises or office of premises to validate/verify traceability data provided to database  

 Recovery 

Efforts taken to repair and restore the situation after an emergency (Canadian Centre for Management Development; Action‐Research Roundtable on Crisis Management). 

 Registered Linked Premises (related definition: Linked premises)  All linked premises that are registered with the administrator as linked premises.   Registration 

The action by which information on animals is collected, recorded, securely stored and made appropriately accessible and able to be utilised by the Competent Authority (OIE). 

 Reporting 

Information is transmitted and entered directly to traceability database or through a service provider from all required to report.   

 Response 

Actions taken to deal with the consequences of an emergency (Canadian Centre for Management Development; Action‐Research Roundtable on Crisis Management). 

 

Segregation  The requirement that entities be kept separate to avoid commingling during planting, harvesting, loading and unloading, storage and transport for safety or marketing objectives.  

 Sender 

A person deciding that animals should be moved from one premises to another, and responsible for reporting the movement (CLIA). 

 Standards 

Documented rules or agreements that determine how people and organizations work together to common goals (FPT TTT). 

 Sub‐population  

A distinct part of a population identifiable according to specific common animal health characteristics (OIE). 

 Sub‐premises 

A physical feature of a land parcel where livestock or poultry are kept, assembled or disposed of (e.g. barn)(CLIA).  

Tamper‐proof/tamper‐evident  Terminology often used in reference to animal identification devices. Terms are used interchangeably, but tamper‐evident is preferred, as tamper‐proof is too absolute. Tamper‐evident devices reveal any signs of adjustment, removal, or re‐application.  

Traceability   The TTT does not propose adoption of a single definition for traceability, but rather that the work of the TTT be undertaken in consideration of definitions developed or in development by international standards organizations and Canadian organizations, both public and private, as indicated below:  

The ability to trace and follow food, feed, food‐producing animals or substances intended to be, or expected to be incorporated into a food or feed, through all stages of production, processing and distribution (EU – Reg 178/2002 Art 3(15)).  The ability to trace the history, application, or location of that which is under consideration (ISO‐9000:2000).  The ability to trace the history, application or location of an entity by means of recorded information (ISO‐8402:1992).  The ability to follow the movement of a feed or food through specified stage(s) of production, processing and distribution (ISO/DIS 22005).  

The ability to trace an item, whether it be an animal, plant, food product, or ingredient, from one point in the supply chain to another, either backwards or forwards (ISO/DIS 22005).  The ability to trace the history, application or location of an entity by means of recorded identifications (APF).  The ability to follow the movement of a food through specified stage(s) of production, processing and distribution (CODEX, CCGP subject committee). 

 Traceability, Whole‐Life 

The ability to trace the history, application, or location of an animal by means of recorded identifications. In the livestock industry this has three main components; animal identification, movement and premises identification and is applicable from birth to carcass inspection or disposal, or permanent export of the live animal (CLIA).  

Traceability system  The infrastructure required to deliver traceability including hardware, software and organisational infrastructure.  

Tracing Tracing is the ability to identify the origin of a particular unit located within the supply chain by reference to records held upstream in the supply chain. Units are traced for purposes such as recall and complaints. 

 Tracking (also called “forward tracing) 

Starts at a defined point, usually the point where the food, infection or problem originated. From this defined point, the trace moves forward following the item’s normal direction of movement through the agri‐food continuum.   

Transparency  In relation to description of a network or supply chain, the extent to which all the stakeholders have a shared understanding of, and access to, the product‐related information that they request, without loss, noise, delay, or distortion. Shared understanding is a precondition for transparency. It involves sharing or seamless translation of language, meaning, and standards at many levels (key concepts, product quality, information models et al.).  

Transponder  A small, silicon‐based radio frequency device, encoded with a unique number, which may be interrogated by a reading device (transceiver). Transponders may be active (battery‐powered) or passive (powered by the reader). They do not require a line of sight (as a barcode does) to the reader to be read. When activated by the reader, the unique ID is transmitted. Generally, EID (Electronic Identification) devices come pre‐programmed and need only be attached to the object they are identifying.  

Zone A clearly defined part of a country containing an animal subpopulation with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease for which required surveillance, control and biosecurity measures have been applied for the purpose of international trade (OIE). 

 Zoning  

Demarcating a country or province using agreed‐upon boundaries for disease control and market preservation. Several parameters are required for establishment of a zone, including: retrospective traceability, a disease surveillance program, and recognition by trading partners. Canada is working towards establishing an East‐West zoning strategy.  There are 2 types of zoning – static with a pre‐established control point (e.g. West Hawk lake) or dynamic used during an emergency response in light of disease control information. 

Appendix 7 ‐ Acronyms 

AAFC Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

ABP Alberta Beef Producers

AHA Alberta Health Act

AI Avian Influenza

APF Agriculture Policy Framework

ARD Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

ATQ Agri-Traçabilité Québec

AVSN Alberta Veterinary Surveillance Network

CAPIFS Canada/Alberta Partners in Food Safety

CCGD Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (Does this show up in the plan?)

CCIA Canadian Cattle Identification Agency

CFIA Canadian Food Inspection Agency

CLIA Canadian Livestock Identification Agency

Codex “Codex Alimentarius”, collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to foods, food production and food safety under the aegis of consumer protection.

CPVO Chief Provincial Veterinarian Office

EMA Emergency Management Alberta

EU European Union

FADES Foreign Animal Disease Emergency Support (Response Plans)

FMD Foot and Mouth Disease

FPT Federal/Provincial/Territorial

FPT TTT FPT Traceability Task Team

FSI Food Safety Initiative

GOA Government of Alberta

GS1 Global Standards One (minimum traceabilty requirements across industry sectors, within information management tools)

HACCP Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point

IGAC Industry Government Advisory Committee (National Traceability)

IIAR International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations (Government of Alberta)

ISO International Organization for Standardization (International standards for processes, products, systems)

LIS Livestock Identification Services Ltd.

MAPAQ Quebec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

NAFTS National Agriculture and Food Traceability System

NLTS National Livestock Traceability Systems

OFFS On-Farm Food Safety Assurance Program

OIE Office International des Epizooties (Science-based guidelines for animal health)

OTM Over Thirty Months

PID Premises Identification

PIPEDA Personal Information Protection and Electronic Document Act

RFID Radio Frequency Identification

SMP Strategic Management Plan

SRM Specified Risk Materials

UTM Under Thirty Months

WTO World Trade Organization