Why do we need to identify sheep?
The goal of animal identification is to reduce the impact and control the spread of animal disease, and to provide the assurance of safe food to our consumers. The Canadian Sheep Identification Program dramatically increases the industry’s ability to respond to any disease outbreak by providing a resource to track and locate infected and potentially exposed animals rapidly and efficiently. Although the national flock currently enjoys a highly rated health status, a disease outbreak can occur at anytime and preparation is the best form of protection and defence.

National identification is also essential for the development of effective disease eradication programs.

Why ID?
The Canadian Sheep Identification Program is, in part, a response to domestic and international pressure for livestock industries to develop effective traceability systems. Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in Europe, E. coli in Belgium and the United States, and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the United Kingdom devastated livestock industries because traceability systems did not exist.

The UK example is an excellent demonstration of the need to be prepared in advance of an outbreak. Their experience with FMD led the government to institute a full-scale traceability system including identification of animals, premises locations and farm types. They also track the movement of animals. This action proved itself invaluable in the last case of FMD. Upon discovery of the disease, officials were able to act quickly and efficiently, to isolate effected animals, locate and quarantine potentially exposed farms and livestock, and as a result, producers were able to regain access to markets within only three weeks of initial discovery.

Here in Canada, the need for livestock identification has been heightened since the initial discovery of BSE in May 2003. Governments and industries have realized that effective traceability systems are required to prevent and control the spread of disease by tracing its origin from the farm gate to the consumer’s plate.

In Canada, the cattle industry, including bison, successfully implemented the final phase of its program in July 2002. The pork, goat and cervid sectors are also preparing to implement similar programs that will improve and increase their ability to track and identify animals and farms. These action plans are all being developed in an effort to complete a National Agriculture and Food Traceability System (NAFTS). This is a national initiative that has seen participation from all livestock industry groups, federal, provincial and territorial governments, and database and traceability service providers.

Livestock identification is also happening throughout the world. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is insisting all of its members upgrade their diagnostic and surveillance capabilities to reduce risk when animals are imported and exported. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has been in existence since 1924 and has representation from 172 member countries and territories. This body, which is recognized by the WTO as a reference organization, is responsible for improving animal health worldwide and has stated that animal identification and traceability are important management tools in animal health and food safety. In many countries animal identification and traceability has been made a legal requirement.

Changes in the international and domestic market are taking the industry, and agriculture in general, in a direction where traceability will become a contributor to the ongoing trade of livestock as well as other agricultural commodities. The Canadian Sheep Identification Program is necessary to maintain access to both our domestic and international markets, and places the Canadian sheep industry in a position where it can adapt and prepare for future requirements of the market.