I & R: The pig traceability system in the Netherlands

After the outbreak of classical swine plague in 1997, and in response to European Directives, the Netherlands have put in place an I & R system to record and monitor the movement of pigs in the country.In this country all piglets are identified within one week of weaning by means of ear tags marked with the farm number (UBN No.) and a serial number. Before being taken for slaughter, porkers and cull breeders are re-identified by a metal tag marked with an individual number that is noted on the docket kept in the slaughterhouse records. Two sorts of notification of movement are made in the I & R database: one by the farm of origin and one by the processor on arrival. The Dutch I & R traceability system is designed to ensure protection against further disease outbreaks and act as a consumer guarantee.