Contributing to Animal Health and Food Safety
The Canadian Cattle Identification System is an industry initiated and established trace back system designed for the containment and eradication of animal disease.
Supporting Disease Eradication
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 diseases such as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The Canadian Cattle Identification System is vital to 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. Chemical 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.