Identification and traceability of Canadian pigs

The authorities are currently legislating on this issue. The Canadian Pork Council has defined a strategic plan for developing a nationwide traceability system for the Canadian pig sector. The main goals are to be able to divide the country into zones in the event of any detected outbreaks of disease, reduce food safety risks, and meet consumer expectations regarding the origins of food supplies. The first results highlight a piglet identification system based on an eartag, combined with slapmarking during the finishing period. Once the results of the pig traceability pilot studies have been published, federal and provincial authorities will be able to legislate accordingly, in the same way as for the cattle and sheep sectors.