Defra is inviting views on changes to bovine (including buffalo and bison) identification, registration and movement in England. The current Cattle Tracing System (CTS) was introduced back in 1998 and according to Defra is unable to accommodate any further development. A new system is required to ensure ongoing confidence to consumers, and the international community.
The government’s ambition is to achieve a ‘world-leading Livestock Information Service (LIS)’ while simplifying legislation and supporting new technology. This will allow disease to be identified and controlled more effectively. Working with industry, it aims to put new processes in place to ‘improve the quality of cattle traceability data, and speed at which it is captured’ whilst reducing the administrative burden for keepers, livestock markets, and abattoirs where possible.
The plan is that when bovine electronic identification is introduced, keepers will be able to scan a beast’s ear tag to access its digital record, make changes, and report births, movements, and deaths. This should mean keepers will no longer have to maintain a separate on-farm holding register or manually update passports. Markets and abattoirs will also be able to process electronically identified animals far more quickly without need to cross-reference, or manually update passports.
Defra has said it will be working closely with stakeholders across all parts of the industry to plan the transition to a fully digital service at a pace that suits industry needs.
The full consultation can be found via https://consult.defra.gov.uk/bovine-id-and-traceability-policy-team/changes-to-bovine-identification-registration-and/. Responses need to be submitted by 15th November.