Cows with ID cards! How do Japan and Canada track mad cow disease?

The United States, Japan and Canada are all major beef-exporting countries in the world. After outbreaks of mad cow disease, the governments of Japan and Canada showed great resolve in establishing a nationwide cattle registration system, so that the origin of every head of cattle - which ranch it came from, which transport companies it passed through, which slaughter and processing plants, and all the way to the sales process - is clear at a glance.

By contrast, in the United States, although livestock farmers have set up ear-tag identification systems for cattle, each goes its own way and they have yet to be integrated. Although the US government has tried to establish a nationwide animal identification system, it remains voluntary only, and the production traceability system is still not complete enough.

Japan: Checking cattle production and sales records by mobile phone

Whether cattle farmers or consumers, all they have to do is open a mobile phone and enter the cattle's ear-tag number or the barcode number on the beef product packaging, and everything about that animal's past is clear at a glance.

After Japan's first case of mad cow disease in 2001, it carried out major reforms to its food inspection system. One of the most important items was establishing a beef production and sales traceability system, requiring all cattle raised nationwide to be brought under management. After planning, in December 2003 it began establishing the "Cattle Identification and Meat Traceability System." In the first stage, the beef traceability system was established at the production end; then in December 2003, work began on establishing the beef traceability system at the sales end.

↑ Diagram of Canada's cattle ear-tag traceability system. Source: CCIA briefing

With food safety incidents emerging one after another at present, the experience of Japan and Canada in managing the livestock industry and establishing production and sales records is well suited for Taiwan, China's agricultural administration and health authorities to refer to.

Recommended reading

Cattle individual identification system of Japan's National Livestock Breeding Center, an independent administrative institution

Introduction to Canada's national cattle registration plan, the Canadian Cattle Identification Program

TFDA overseas report "Japan's Meat Hygiene Safety and Pesticide Residue Management Measures"

NewsMarket report: Loose management of US beef production records leaves the shadow of mad cow hard to dispel