Traceability Technologies: Livestock

This solution was shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM , 14 May 2021

Print date: 12 April 2024 17:22

Description of the innovative solution

Animal feed Sensors Traceability Monitoring/Surveillance Food safety Animal husbandry Animal-sourced food Packaging Information/communication

Traceability technologies include a smart ear tag with geo-location for greater traceability and provenance of livestock. This technology collects data from production, processing, and distribution processes which translates into food origins, growing conditions, involved parties, and many other inputs that are often used to determine and ensure food quality and safety, especially for international trade purposes. This technology is often used to manage animal health, control disease outbreaks, and manage fraud that may occur throughout the distribution process.

Primary users

Livestock farmers
Animal health workers
Meat-packing industry
Traders
Retailers
Distribution centers
Wholesalers
Exporters
Distributors
Natl. Govt - Ministries of Agriculture
Natl. Govt - Ministries of Health
Natl. Govt - Ministries of Trade
Food safety & quality assurance agencies

Dietary impact

Livestock traceability technology is used to ensure food safety and quality which is an important determinant for a healthy community. This technology enables customer to track and understand where their food comes from which then allows them to consume high-quality food that are produced ethically. In addition, the local government can use this technology/transparency to put pressure on livestock producers/distributors and implement regulations to maintain high quality food supplies. For example, the Chinese melamine scandal, where they use nitrogen plastic to increase the fake amount of protein, can be easily prevented and many lives can be saved with a high degree traceability

Planetary impact

When consumers are deeply interested in knowing how food is produced, what feed is used, how ethical/sustainable is the process, and how animals are grown, the market can exert pressure on producers to grow livestock in a more sustainable way by using less water, environmentally friendly feed, and other sustainable methods that can lower carbon footprints and contribute to the overall progress of making the earth a greener place.

Equity impact

Traceability technology also provides transparency for farmers and all parties in the supply chain. This allows farmers and other parties to spot middlemen, loan sharks, and other unethical parties who have been costing farmers a lot of money and putting them in terrible positions for many years. With a high degree of transparency, the market can put pressure on redesigning the supply chain and remove them from the equation to empower farmers in need, especially the ones in developing countries.

Main concerns

The main concern for this solution is the challenge to develop a robust traceability infrastructure that is approved by most of the parties involved in the supply chain. For instance, producers can feel disadvantaged from this technology as it decreases their overall income; and that setback can limit the success of this technology. Also, there are many concerns about the extent of transparency and how the system can still maintain data privacy.

Supply chain segment

Handling, storage and transport/distribution

Maturity level

Mainstream

Criteria

Food quality Food safety

SDG target

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Context

Rural

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

See this solution in action in different contexts and settings around the world

Breedr

Business information

Breedr is a livestock marketplace app that tracks animal health, feed, weight gain and other data which will be used to connect farmers with potential buyers.

United Kingdom

breedr.co/.../

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Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS)

Project information

Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS) is a project, supported by the Namibian Government, that aims to address food safety crisis and improve the quality of food consumed.

Namibia

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/do...6.x

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Additional resources

Learn more about this solution through studies, articles, business cases, and other information

From farm to fork: How blockchain is enabling transparency and traceability

News article, popular press or blog post

This article explores how blockchain technology can be used to scale traceability technology in many countries.

foodandfarmingtechnology.com...

Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

Contacts

Connect to others working on and with this solution around the world

adeemmanuels@yahoo.com

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Shared by Adebayo Sopeju

Breadcrumb

Traceability Technologies: Livestock

Description of the innovative solution

Supply chain segment

Maturity level

Criteria

SDG target

Context

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

Breedr

Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS)

Additional resources

From farm to fork: How blockchain is enabling transparency and traceability

Contacts

adeemmanuels@yahoo.com