The Canadian Cattle Identification Agency
The Canadian Cattle Agency
Identification Agency (CCIA) was formed in 1998 as a national organization
dedicated to the implementation of technologies and services supporting Canada’s
Cattle Identification and Tracking System.
The agency is led by a board of
directors made up of representatives from all sectors of the industry including
cow/calf operations, feedlots, auction markets, processing plants, veterinarians
and the
Agri-Traçabilité Québec (ATQ).
The regulations which support
the function of the CCIA are part of Canadian law under the Federal Health of
Animals Act and Regulation. Cattle identification programs are enforced
under the authority of the federal government by the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency.
Due to strong industry and government support for its activities, the CCIA has
become a world leader inanimal identification and age verification. This
leadership is maintained by ongoing consultation with international markets to
determine the needs of our valued partners.
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Radio Frequency Identification
Technology
The use of technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags
enables rapid and accurate animal identification. Unlike older barcode systems,
the tag does not require “line of sight” reading to facilitate scanning. Use of
passive RFID technology enables the tag to store the identification data without
the need for batteries, ensuring the information is available for the life of
the animal. The CCIA
standards for ear tag manufacturers are strictly enforced and require that they
be engineered to prevent reuse or tampering.
All ear tags are encoded with a 21 digit identification number following the ISO
11784 Code Structure. When the tag is exposed to a 134 kHz magnetic field from
the RFID reader, the transponder is energized and transmits the encoded animal
identification information. Once the ID is obtained by the reader, it can be
used to obtain information in the Canadian Cattle Identification Database.
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Electronic Age Verification
Canada’s National Age Verification Database allows beef producers to register
cattle birthdates through a secured internet database. This birth date
information is subject to audit by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and other
independent inspectors authorized by the government.
Electronically produced birth certificates can be utilized to authenticate the
age of the animal with a registered ID tag.
Canada’s meat processors are able to utilize the National Age Verification
Database to determine if specific animals meet the age requirements of export
markets. As the number of cattle registered using the electronic Age
Verification System continues to increase rapidly, it is clear that Canadian
beef producers are working diligently to meet and exceed all export
requirements.
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Contributions to Animal Health and Food Safety
Canada maintains a strong commitment to the control and elimination of serious
animal diseases through its National Animal Health Program. This program
administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requires ongoing
surveillance for Bovine Spongiform Encelopathy (BSE).
The Canadian Cattle Identification System is vital to the trace backs conducted
to investigate reportable diseases and other conditions.
Routine monitoring of beef safety at packing plants is also supported by
Canada’s national cattle identification initiatives. Antibiotic residue testing
is conducted by the CFIA and the very rare situations where infractions are
identified are quickly addressed by investigations supported by the Canadian
Cattle Identification System.
Unique animal identification is central to record keeping required by food
safety systems built upon the principles of the internationally recognized
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. HACCP is designed to
effectively address potential physical, biological or chemical hazards which may
occur in food production. Canadian law makes it mandatory that all meat
plants exporting beef to international markets have a HACCP system recognized by
the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
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The Safety of Canadian Beef
is supported by a National Cattle Identification System admnistered by the
Canadian Cattle Identification Agency and enforced by federal law.
1998 Canadian Cattle Identification Agency created by Canada’s cattle
industry and the Canadian government.
2001 National Cattle ID Program implemented requiring cattle to be tagged
upon leaving farm of origin with CCIA approved tag.
2002 Cattle ID Program fully
enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency under the authority of the
federal government.
2005 CCIA Age Verification Program allows date of birth to be documented
to meet Japan’s export requirements.
2006 CCIA policy requires
that all cattle permanently leaving their herd of origin be tagged with an
approved RFID tag as of Sept. 1, 2006. Full enforcement by the CFIA will
commence December 31, 2007.
Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) Technology and a National Internet Database
enable rapid and accurate animal identification and age verification.
• Only RFID tags approved by the CCIA may
beutilized in the Canadian Cattle Identification System.
• The RFID transponder does not require batteries and can function in extreme
cold or hot temperatures.
• The RFID reader provides a magnetic field which energizes the transponder
causing it to transmit identification information.
The Canadian Cattle Identification System
is an industry initiated and established trace back system designed for the
containment and eradication of animal disease.
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