Dutch pigs : improved traceability

After the classical swine fever epidemic in 1997, and in response to European directives, the Netherlands have improved their I&R (Identification and Registration) system, which registers and monitors the movements of pigs throughout the country.All piglets are registered during the week after weaning using ear tags bearing the farm number (UBN) and a serial number.Before leaving for slaughter the porkers and cull sows are identified by means of a metal tag bearing an individual number noted on the accompanying document and recorded at the slaughterhouse.Recording of movements in the I&R database is dual-sourced: notification by the farm on departure and notification by the slaughterhouse on arrival.This Dutch traceability system seeks both to forestall future epidemics and to serve as a guarantee for customers