1. Animal identification and traceability
Badi Besbes
Animal Production and Health Division
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

2. AITS: Key Definitions
Animal identification means the combination of 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
Traceability/product tracing is the ability to follow the movement of food through specified stage(s) of production, processing and distribution (Codex)
Traceability is the ability to follow an animal (or group of animals) during all stages of its life (OIE)

3. Drivers of animal identification
Theft control
A serious problem in Africa (e.g. Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Senegal, Cameroun, RCA, Chad...)
Proof of ownership
Prevention & control of animal diseases
12 of the 15 diseases in List A of the OIE are endemic in sub- Saharan Africa
Genetic improvement
Farm management
Biodiversity management
 RPLRP Component 3 - Livelihood Support. activities under this component will be of a national nature such as […] animal health, breed improvement 3

4. Drivers of traceability:
Trade opportunities (WTO SPS Agreement)
trade certification and access to lucrative markets
Only few African countries (Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland) can export livestock products to Europe
Countries in the Horn of Africa export livestock to the Arabic Peninsula, but…
Ensure fair practices in food trade (WTO TBT Agreement)
protect from deceptive practices and fraud in the market place and unsubstantiated product claims (e.g. geographic indication, food quality)
Regional trade faces high competition with imported frozen beef meat
RPLRP Component 2 - Market Access and Trade. The major objective of this component will be to support the harmonization of […] certification systems, SPS standards, and animal identification and traceability systems.

5. Drivers for traceability
Risk management including in emergency situations
Enable to trace identified hazards (e.g. animal transmissible diseases and zoonosis) back to their source
Assess potential dissemination of these hazards for effective control
Protect public health
identify, trace and control animal movements
identify, trace and recall unsafe foods (and feeds) at any stage of the food production and distribution chain
Safety and quality standards also concern animal products consumed and traded on national and regional markets
 RPLRP Component 4 - Pastoral Risk Management. promote activities aimed at harmonizing i) the response to disasters; ii) livestock identification;

6. The concept of AITS
Location/ Keeper/Owner Identification and Registration
Animal Identification and Registration
Database
Movement Reporting

7. Challenges with pastoral herds
What is a location?
Village, epidemiological unit(s)/zones, pastures, common grazing areas
Who to register?
Keeper or/and owner
Who else (local authorities, dealers, transporters)?
Who identify and register the animals
Keeper, Veterinarian, Agent
Who capture the data and how?
Electronically, paper forms
On the spot or in a data entry center
Offline or online
What ID device to use?
brand, Ear tags, EID, etc
When and who notify animals movements?
Notify a movement: > x km; change of Epid. zone, level of risk, permit is required, departure/arrival(?)...
Notify authorities of intended route and expected duration of movement, prior to departure
Owners, local authorities
In West Africa, animals coming from Mali, going through BF, go to Ghana and then move back. There are check points (vets) and permit developed by ECOWAS
Movement permits (that indicate the # of animals) exist in most countries  integrate them in AITS

8. Registration of birth and movements in the database
Scope and types of AITS
Core functionalities
(1) Registration of locations (holdings, establishments, owners, keepers)
(2) Animal Identification and Registration
Key characteristics
Form of ID
Registration of birth and movements in the database
Cost
Type I
Full
Individual ID
Recording from birth to exit (slaughter, death)
Type II
Partial
Recording starting with departure from birth farm to exit (slaughter, death)
Type III
Recording starting with entering special holdings or markets to exit
Type IV
Basic
Group ID
Type V
No recording of movements during animal lifetime, reporting of death or slaughter
Type II is animal health orientated
Type III is trade orientated

10. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION10 10

11. Strategic approach (Section II)
Animal Identification and Registration
(Section III)
Animal Traceability
(Section IV)
Animal Health Information
(Section V)
Performance recording
(Section VI)
Implementing the Strategic Plan (Section IX)
Evaluating Investment Decisions (Section IX)
Developing the Legal Framework (Section X)
Background and rationale (Section I)
Designing and Developing the IT system (Section VIII)
Developing the Strategic Plan (Section VII)
Developing the Concept
Putting g the Concept into practice
Setting the Scene
Guidelines for the development of integrated multipurpose animal recording system