Ontario Livestock Dealers Association introduces new traceability program

Thursday, January 16, 2014

by MATT MCINTOSH

A new program designed to further improve the traceability of Ontario livestock is being implemented by the Ontario Livestock Dealers Association.

The Ontario Livestock Manifest program is completely voluntary, and works using a new system where the shipper, transporter, and receiver all retain identical copies of animal transportation forms.

Ross McCall, president of the Ontario Livestock Dealer’s Association, says the manifest is based on cattle, but will hopefully expand its scope to include other farm animals in the future.

“There are too many animals being transported in Ontario with no paper attached to them,” said McCall during a presentation at last week’s Beef Industry Convention in London. “The new manifest gives proof of shipment, and allows for multiple party verification.”

In his presentation, McCall stressed that the new Ontario Livestock Manifest program is 100 per cent voluntary, at least for the time being.

“If federal regulations change in support of mandatory traceability, the manifest will play a large part in that,” he says.

The manifest is now available for free, though a charge of $6.50 is applied to mailed copies. However, McCall says the manifest may also be available at a number of agricultural supply dealers.

The push for a higher level of traceability is already coming from certain parts of the retail sector. At the same event last week, Rodney Koning, vice president of meat and seafood procurement for Loblaw Companies Limited, stressed the importance of traceability to Loblaw’s meat marketing strategy.

“Traceability for us is critical,” he said. “Loblaws uses our DNA TraceBack process, which reassures our customers of traceability, quality, and that our (Ontario Corn Fed Beef) is exactly what we say it is.”

The national supermarket chain inked a deal last May with IdentiGEN North America, a company that specializes in food traceability, to use its technology to conduct quality assurance monitoring on Ontario Corn Fed Beef products. According to IdentiGEN’s website, the program involves sampling an animal’s DNA all the way through the production chain and analyzing it to ensure continuity of product.

Deb Matthews, the province’s deputy premier and MPP for London North Centre, was also at the convention to reiterate the Liberal Party’s support for food traceability programs, and the beef industry in general.

“You’ve shown continuous innovation and initiative through the introduction of the DNA TraceBack process with Loblaws,” she said. “Initiatives like this enhance the competitiveness of Ontario’s beef industry.” BF