Q. Why is traceability important?
A. Traceability has been an industry lead initiative since 2003 that is intended to identify pathways where infected animals have moved, potentially infecting other farms and swine. Animal movement information is used to contain and reduce the spread of highly contagious swine diseases so they can be eliminated. Other benefits to the pork sector include reinforcing our domestic and export market access and improving the competitiveness of Canadian pork products in the international marketplace.
Q. Why is quick trace-back of swine important?
A. Animal health officials need to identify and locate all affected swine and farms during a disease outbreak. Reducing the response time will reduce the impacts of the disease and minimize the potential affects to other farms.
Q. What could happen in the event of disease outbreak in swine?
A. The economic impact of foot-and-mouth disease in Canada has been estimated at $13 to $45 billion (trade losses, 41%; direct processing impacts, 14%; direct farm impacts, 11%; and tourism impact, 9%). It may take 6 to 10 months to regain disease-free status, and an additional 4 to 6 years to regain market share.
Q. Who must report swine movement information?
A. Operators of sites where swine have been shipped or received are responsible to report the necessary information to PigTrace Canada within 48 hours of departure or reception.
Q. Can I have a third party report my movement information?
A. Yes, reporting tasks can be delegated to a third party; however, the responsibility remains with the site operator.
Q. Is this mandatory?
A. Not yet, but the process is underway to eventually make it mandatory under federal law. Currently, this is a phased-in approach to implementing federal swine traceability requirements under the Health of Animals Act. Once the regulation passes into law it will be mandatory.
Q. What will the cost of traceability be to producers?
A. All costs for the development and implementation of PigTrace Canada will be covered under the Growing Forward agricultural policy framework to the end of March, 2013, with the exception of tools used for animal identification, such as tattooing equipment and ear tags. Negotiations are taking place to confirm a cost-sharing commitment from government beyond Growing Forward. It is the goal of PigTrace Canada to make traceability a feasible and cost-effective tool for Canadian pork producers in every way possible.
Q. When must the national ear tag be used?
A. The national ear tags must be used on all swine destined for an auction, fair or destination unknown. All bred swine being shipped to another farm that is not a linked premises must bear a national ear tag, as do all swine being imported into Canada.
Q. Can I use the national traceability tag in other animals?
A. PigTrace Canada ear tags are not intended for use in species other than swine.
Q. Is the PigTrace Canada manifest mandatory?
A. The proposed regulation will require the necessary information to accompany pig shipments when moving swine and/or swine carcasses. Existing commercial manifests may fulfill this requirement; however, PigTrace Canada recommends that you review your document to ensure that all necessary data is being captured for your own ease in record keeping. The manifest created by PigTrace Canada was designed as a tool to help system users know what fields must be recorded and reported.
Q. Do I have to keep movement records?
A. Every person who is required to report swine movement information under the proposed regulationshall maintain a record of that information for five years.
Q. What do I do if a pig dies on farm?
A. There is no requirement to record or report on-farm death and disposal.