ATQ. Activity Report

Transcription

1 ATQ Activity Report

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3 BACKGROUND It was at the Conférence sur l agriculture et l agroalimentaire in 1998 that the Quebec government and the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) decided upon the objective of implementing a permanent identification and traceability system for agricultural products, from the farm to the table. In accordance with this objective, Agri- Traçabilité Québec (ATQ), a non-profit and independent organization, was created on September 25 th, ATQ s first mandate was to establish a traceability system for the bovine, ovine and porcine sectors. The implementation of the traceability system is subsidized by the ministère de l Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l Alimentation du Québec. The Quebec government, which is also responsible for the regulation on traceability, granted a total of $21.5 million over four years for the implementation and the development of a traceability system in Quebec. MISSION Created in accordance with the Companies Law, Part III, ATQ s mission is to contribute to the improvement of food safety and to the competitiveness of Quebec producers. It sees to the development, establishment and operation of a permanent identification and traceability system for agricultural products, for both animal and crop production. Quebec has a high standard of expertise in terms of food safety. With the implementation of its identification and traceability system, the Quebec agri-food industry will benefit from an effective and efficient management tool and thus preserve the excellent reputation it enjoys for the quality of its agricultural products. 1

4 OBJECTIVES To rapidly confine and suppress a crisis by reacting quickly to problems regarding food safety and farm animal diseases. To trace back any identified animal up to its herd of origin, and know its history, its movements and its current location. To improve diagnostic and monitoring capacity in order to reduce risks related to animal imports/ exports. MANDATES To standardize the applications through the various regulated agricultural productions in order to maximize investments for implementation in each of these productions and, therefore, to reduce entry costs to the system; To negotiate partnerships for information exchange between agri-food industry stakeholders. Producers could therefore declare births, purchases, exports, or any other animal movement to a unique location, and this information could be sent for them to every organization with which agreements have been made; Consolidate activities in a single location and database to achieve traceability from the farm to the table, for all types of agricultural productions. To maximize the use of resources to reduce operation costs. In the event of a crisis, to react quickly in order to minimize both material and financial impacts in all agricultural businesses. PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS The Quebec traceability system is based on the stakeholders responsibility to conform to the provincial legislation, which governs the identification and traceability of certain animals; called the Regulation respecting the identification and traceability of certain animals (P-42, r.1.1). Furthermore, Quebec regulation complies with the federal provisions found in the Health of Animals Regulations Part XV Animal Identification. FEATURES OF THE QUEBEC SYSTEM The fundamental features of the Quebec system are based on the need to identify an animal from birth, on the obligation to activate an animal s tag (i.e. provide the animal s birth date, gender, and position the animal in a predetermined production site). Afterwards, each animal movement must be declared as soon as it enters a new premise. A premise could be a building, a pasture, an auction, a sorting centre, an agricultural exhibition, a slaughterhouse, etc. Identifiers that are chosen by members of the bovine and ovine sectors consist in an electronic tag (RFID) and a visual tag, recognized by the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency. Thus, each animal has its own fifteen (15) digit ISO number which follows it its entire life. TRACEABILITY PARTNERS IN QUEBEC: 2

5 Table of Contents ATQ A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT...5 A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL...7 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE...8 Board of Directors...8 Executive Council...8 Committees...9 Advisory Committee...9 Implementation Committees...9 Interim Committees...10 THE AGRI-TRAÇABILITÉ QUÉBEC TEAM...12 Senior Management...12 Development and Information Department..13 Management and Operational Services Department...13 Call Centre...13 Document Processing Centre...13 Computer Services Department Automation...14 Information Exchange Partnership...15 Real dates of Birth...15 The FISI and the Feeder Calf Industry...16 Updating Files...16 ISO...16 Purchase Orders...16 Angus Marking...17 Cervid Industry...17 Porcine Industry...17 Traceability s diagram and statistics...18 Pilot Projects...19 Pilot Project on Identifier Retention for Bovine in Loose Housing...19 New Bovine Identifier Retention Project...20 Ovine Pilot Project...20 Transport Pilot Project...21 Table Egg Pilot Project...22 Communications...23 ATQ 5 years...24 OUTSIDE EXCHANGES...25 Representation with National Committees...25 Participating in Events...25 Presentations...25 Greeting Visitors...26 Agri-Traçabilité International (ATI), a division of Agri-Traçabilité Québec...26 Acknowledgement of the good work done by all the partners

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7 A Word from the President A SHARED EXPERTISE Not very long ago, in March 1998, in St. Hyacinthe, we were discussing food quality and safety during the Agriculture and Agri-food Conference. At the time, the idea of implementing a monitoring system for Quebec agricultural products from the farm to the table began to take shape. However, many questioned the need to implement such a system. Foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, mad cow disease were terms that instilled fear in people and created a crisis that hit our agricultural colleagues hard in Europe and Asia, but these realities were not yet present here. Nevertheless, deciders managed to stay the course through agri-food industry forums and seminars (rendez-vous): the famous traceability concept blossomed and grew with the creation of ATQ in September, This fall, almost six years after the creation of ATQ, we learned that the Canadian government, through its Industry Government Advisory Committee on Traceability would like to implement a traceability system in partnership with the industry and provincial governments, based on identifying premises and monitoring animal movements. In fact, a system similar to the one in Quebec! RB Could we say that Quebec s agricultural producers had vision when they created Agri-Traçabilité Québec? Perhaps! One thing is for certain, we can be proud of being the pioneers. The huge agricultural changes in recent years have confirmed our efforts in implementing this system. I would like to thank agricultural producers, administrators and representatives from specialized federations, auctions and slaughterhouses, renderers; everyone who contributed to developing the Quebec traceability system. It is because of each and every one of you, and your determination and efforts that the effectiveness of our system has become recognized and is now coveted by many. ATQ will be glad to share with our partners from other provinces the expertise we developed in Quebec. Traceability yours! Richard Maheu Board of directors President 5

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9 A Word from the Director General FIVE FULL YEARS Agri-Traçabilité Québec proudly celebrated its fifth anniversary in October 2006 with agricultural producers, industry stakeholders and business partners. Although our organization is still young, several challenges have nevertheless been met since September 2001: implementing traceability in the bovine and ovine industries, auction automation, implementing new automation tools, as well as pilot projects in terms of cervids and table eggs, live animal transportation and tag retention. In fact, none of these challenges could have been met had it not been for the active participation and contribution of the stakeholders from the agricultural industry in developing and implementing various projects. Thank you all for proudly contributing to the creation of this common project; ATQ. Without your precious help, we would never have been able to meet the different mandates that were given to us or obtain the recognition here as well as abroad, of all the work which was carried out in terms of traceability in Quebec. Far from resting on its success, ATQ has maintained its cruising speed. Therefore, other significant mandates were given to us by the MAPAQ, such as seeing to the implementation of traceability in the cervid and ovine industries, as well as in the horticultural industry. A quick overview of upcoming productions which could be added to ATQ s multisectorial database over the next few years: poultry and table eggs, goats, RB rabbits, horses, bison and fish. It is a busy program but we are not afraid; to the contrary! We are already looking forward to work in partnership with stakeholders from each of these industries. We should also add that with the growing demand from visitors from here and abroad, and following certain needs expressed by several organizations, ATQ created a new independent organization this year: Agri-Traçabilité International (ATI). Its mission is to offer state-of-the-art traceability solutions that meet international standards. A special thanks to the entire ATQ team for its professionalism and commitment. There are no doubt many challenges still ahead, and the next five years at Agri-Traçabilité Québec will certainly be as intense as the first five. But I am confident because when you are surrounded by a strong team, the task at hand becomes much easier. Linda Marchand Director General 7

10 Organizational Structure BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Agri-Traçabilité Québec Board of Directors is made up of two representatives from the ministère de l Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), four representatives from the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) and one representative from La Financière agricole du Québec (FADQ). Mr. Richard Maheu, President of the Fédération de l UPA Outaouais-Laurentides, presides over the ATQ Board of Directors. Until March 6 th, 2007, the vice-presidency of the Board of Directors was occupied by Mr. Jocelyn Cantin, assistant deputy minister to the MAPAQ s Direction générale de l alimentation. Since this date, Ms. Martine Dubuc has taken over the position of assistant deputy minister as well as the vice-presidency of ATQ s Board of Directors. RB Left to right, Claude Guimond, Richard Maheu, Michel Dessureault, Martine Dubuc, Rénald Levesque, Pierre Chouinard and Jocelyn Cantin. The other members of the Board of Directors are: Ms. Chi Mai Vu, interim director of the Institut national de santé animale du MAPAQ Mr. Pierre Chouinard, UPA representative and president of the Fédération des producteurs de pommes de terre du Québec Mr. Michel Dessureault, UPA representative and president of the Fédération des producteurs de bovins du Québec Mr. Claude Guimond, UPA representative and president of the Fédération de l UPA du Bas-Saint- Laurent. Board of Directors Meetings The Agri-Traçabilité Québec Board of Directors met on May 5 th, 2006, June 8 th, 2006, July 4 th, 2006 (conference call), August 28 th, 2006, September 18 th, 2006 (conference call), November 21 st, 2006, December 19 th, 2006 (conference call) and on March 6 th, The third executive member of the Board of Directors is Mr. Rénald Levesque, Program Integration Director for the FADQ. In accordance with the laws and regulations effective in the province of Quebec, the annual general assembly of Agri-Traçabilité Québec was held on June 8 th, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL The executive council of Agri-Traçabilité Québec also met twice over the last year, on June 5 th, 2006 (videoconference) and on January 12 th,

11 COMMITTEES Within the co-operation and consultation process, the Agri-Traçabilité Québec Board of Directors is working with specialized resources forming three committees: the Advisory Committee, and the Bovine and Ovine Implementation Committees. Advisory Committee Mandate: provide technical advice regarding various implementation aspects of the traceability process in an agricultural production. Composed of: technical representatives from the beef and dairy cattle sectors, dairy breeds, ovine sector, porcine sector, MAPAQ, FADQ, the UPA working table on quality assurance and ATQ Implementation Committees Mandates: confirm the policies and procedural requirements in every production sector; react to particular requirements and regulatory provisions on behalf of producers; promote the realities of the sector it represents as well as the system s impacts on the sector as a whole. Composed of: representatives from the production sector involved in the on-going traceability process. The Bovine Implementation Committee is made up of the Fédération des producteurs de bovins du Québec, the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, the Fédération d agriculture biologique du Québec, Valacta, the Programme d analyse des troupeaux bovins du Québec, the Centre d insémination artificielle du Québec, the Holstein Association of Canada, the Conseil québécois des races laitières, the five dairy breed associations (Quebec Jersey Association, Brown Swiss of Québec, Holstein Quebec, Quebec Ayrshire Association, Canadian Cattle Breeders Association); the joint committee on beef breeds and the ten beef breed associations (Blonde d Aquitaine, Highland, Shorthorn, Piémontais, Limousin, Simmental, Hereford, Charolais, Salers and Angus), the FADQ, the MAPAQ, the UPA and ATQ. The Ovine Implementation Committee is made up of the Fédération des producteurs d agneaux et moutons du Québec, the Société des éleveurs de moutons de race pure du Québec, the Centre d expertise en production ovine du Québec, the FADQ, the MAPAQ, the UPA and ATQ. The ovine implementation committee met on November 20 th, 2006 (conference call). ATQ 9

12 INTERIM COMMITTEES Senior management at ATQ is also supported by four other committees with provisional status: the Bovine Tag Review Committee, the Ovine Tag Review Committee, the Transport Committee, and the Automation Committee. Bovine Tag Review Committee Mandates: make sure that the identifier meets the Quebec bovine sector s needs and criteria; find solutions to certain problems arising in the field; make recommendations to the Bovine Sector Implementation Committee. Composed of: representatives from the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, the Fédération des producteurs de bovins du Québec, the Comité conjoint des races bovines du Québec, Valacta, the FADQ, the Centre d insémination artificielle du Québec, the Conseil québécois des races laitières and ATQ. In , the committee completed its pilot project on identifier retention for bovine in loose housing. It also contributed to a third project on identifier retention in the bovine sector. The bovine tag review committee met on May 26 th, 2006 (conference call), June 15 th, 2006, June 20 th, 2006, September 27 th, 2006 (conference call) and on November 20 th, 2006 (conference call). Ovine Tag Review Committee Mandate: make sure that the identifier meets the Quebec ovine sector s needs and criteria; find solutions to certain problems arising in the field; make recommendations to the Ovine Sector Implementation Committee Composed of: representatives from the Fédération des producteurs d agneaux et moutons du Québec, the Société des éleveurs de moutons de race pure du Québec, the Canadian Sheep Federation, the Centre d expertise en production ovine du Québec, the FADQ and ATQ. In , the ovine tag review committee completed its pilot project on ovine identifiers. Committee members also saw to the extension of the identifier supplier contract for a period of one year. The ovine tag review committee met on November 7 th, Committee members also implemented a bidding process and awarded a supply contract for bovine identifiers for the period between January 2007 and December This year, the committee created a reading test project with FDX (full duplex) type identifiers in partnership with three suppliers having participated in the bidding process in the bovine sector. ATQ 10

13 Transport Committee Mandates: find ways to involve carriers in transmitting information concerning animal traceability; implement a pilot project in order to find and help develop certain tools that might help carriers meet their obligations in terms of traceability. Composed of: representatives from the Fédération des producteurs de bovins du Québec, the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, the FADQ, the MAPAQ and ATQ. Automation Committee Mandates: find and evaluate reading tools for producers to make electronic data transferring easier; share knowledge with the different sectors and prioritize certain operations in terms of automated data transferring; conduct monitoring at strategic sites such as auctions and slaughterhouses. Composed of: representatives from the Fédération des producteurs de bovins du Québec, the Fédération des producteurs d agneaux et moutons du Québec, Valacta, the FADQ, the Centre d insémination artificielle du Québec and ATQ. TCN 11

14 The Agri-Traçabilité Québec Team SENIOR MANAGEMENT Ms. Linda Marchand is head of Agri-Traçabilité Québec s senior management. In order to conclude her mission and meet RB the objectives set by the Board of Directors, ATQ s senior management is supported by three departments: Development and Information, Management and Operational Services and Computer Services. Left to right, Daniel Marcheterre, Francine Lapointe, Éric Gardner and Linda Marchand. SENIOR MANAGEMENT Linda Marchand DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT Francine Lapointe MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT Daniel Marcheterre COMPUTER SERVICES DEPARTMENT Éric Gardner CALL CENTRE DOCUMENT PROCESSING CENTRE 12

15 DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT Mandates: develop and implement traceability projects in new agricultural production sectors; improve existing conditions in implemented sectors; find tools to help stakeholders in their work; coordinate the different internal and external communication activities. MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT Mandates: coordinate the customer service team at Agri-Traçabilité Québec, including accounting activities, the call centre and the document processing centre. Call Centre Role: inform stakeholders about various obligations, how to install tags, or any other traceability related question they might have; take orders for identifiers; update files and make database checks; conduct follow-ups in terms of declaration delays from various stakeholders (auctions, slaughterhouses or renderers); conduct telephone reminder campaigns. For your information, the call centre receives on average a little over 8,000 calls per month. Document Processing Centre Role: verify the compliance of the declaration forms transmitted by stakeholders and enter them on a daily basis; validate information and clarify certain documents; make electronic filing of documents received in stakeholders records; process and validate electronic files received from stakeholders; make specific inquiries in order to answer certain needs from administrators and/or stakeholders; manage identifier orders and maintain an inventory in order to meet certain urgent requests from producers. COMPUTER SERVICES DEPARTMENT Mandates: maintain computer software applications as well as developing and improving the traceability database; manage the computer population (office automation), the telephone system, the transactional Internet Website and its applications, as well network security; develop tools to help in follow-up request with stakeholders. RB RB RB 13

16 AUTOMATION After automating the auctions and other strategic areas where there are a significant number of animals transiting, ATQ has increased its efforts over the last three years to accompany producers and certain stakeholders in the field (small and medium size slaughterhouses) in their process of using tools to better monitor animals, access quality information and quickly transfer traceability data. ATQ A technical trainer from the development and information team accompanies stakeholders through their process in order to promote the electronic transfer and management of traceability data. In addition to offering on-line support, this resource has made several on-site visits in order to help install and effectively use the electronic forms developed by ATQ as well as to provide training seminars to targeted groups in several Quebec areas. These seminars focus mostly on presenting the various available automation tools (electronic forms, ATQ Direct Website, tag readers, herd management software, etc.). Always concerned with making the producer s declaration work easier, ATQ also produced and distributed a third version of the CD-ROM containing all the electronic forms required for traceability declarations. Thanks to the collaboration between the computer team and information and development team, various control function changes and additions were made in the electronic forms to allow for a more effective use by producers and other stakeholders. Remember that these forms are compatible with most RFID reading devices on the market, and once they have been completed, the data can be sent directly to ATQ via . Bovine, ovine and cervid producers can order the CD-ROM for free by contacting the call centre, or they can download the forms directly off the Agri-Traçabilité Québec Website at The computer team also worked closely with the Fédération des producteurs d agneaux et moutons du Québec for developing and stabilizing the Provin software, particularly in terms of generating and transferring traceability data to the ATQ database. This year, after negotiating and signing some agreements, ATQ has become a distributor of electronic tag reading tools for Allflex and Syscan International. In fact, two ATQ customer service resources were specially trained to offer producers detailed information on products offered as well as providing on-line support if needed. These readers greatly help producers with their work because they can store hundreds of tag numbers which can be directly transferred into the electronic forms and/or herd management software. A telephone campaign was also implemented in the spring of 2007 to promote the reading tools and electronic declaration forms. Over 600 producers were contacted. 14

17 In the same respect, this year ATQ implemented a program for lending electronic tag stick readers, in order to help producers make their inventory and update their traceability files. The program is offered for a one month period at a small cost and it gives the producers an opportunity to try out a reading tool before buying one. For the second consecutive year, ATQ also saw to the promotion of the Canadian Radio Frequency Identification Reader Program with eligible producers and stakeholders. This federal program provides funding of up to 50% of the purchase cost of an electronic tag reader. INFORMATION EXCHANGE PARTNERSHIP Again this year, the Agri-Traçabilité Québec team has increased its efforts in terms of negotiating and implementing information exchange agreements concerning traceability with various stakeholders from the agri-food industry. The ultimate goal is to reduce the workload for producers by allowing them to send in their data one time to one location. Various meetings have taken place with partners this year (the FADQ, the Fédération des producteurs de bovins du Québec, the Réseau Encans Québec, slaughterhouses, etc.) in order to improve information exchange concerning traceability. Various improvements were made for obtaining more precise and clearer information or simply faster. REAL DATES OF BIRTH Since the mad cow disease crisis and subsequent implementation of specific requirements by several importer countries in terms of bovine age, real dates of birth have become a critical component in this production sector. A lot of work has been done over the last three years by implementing communication tools and various means of support for producers and industry stakeholders. In September 2006, the operational and management services team set up a monthly follow-up call campaign to bovine producers concerning the real dates of birth. Therefore, after receiving information mostly from auctions and the FADQ, any producer that fails to meet their 45-day deadline for transmitting information required for activating the identifiers, is contacted by ATQ in order to update their file. From September to December 2006, nearly 2,600 producers were contacted on this issue. In March 2007, the Holstein Association of Canada and ATQ improved the activation process for bovine identifiers for Holstein breeders in Quebec. Thanks to this improved information exchange process, which is done automatically with databases from the two concerned organizations, the breeder no longer has to sign a consent form. To sum up, when a bovine is registered at Holstein Canada, the information required for activating the animal s identifier (i.e. identification number, date of birth, gender and premises number) is automatically sent to ATQ. This is an effective way to activate identifiers and help producers save precious time. 15

18 THE FISI AND THE FEEDER CALF INDUSTRY Beginning in January 2008, the FADQ would like to use data from ATQ s permanent identification and traceability system in order to determine the insurable volume (cows and pregnant heifers) within the framework of its Farm Income Stabilization Insurance Program for feeder calf. In January 2007, a committee of traceability partners (FADQ, ATQ and MAPAQ) and representatives from the Fédération des producteurs de bovins du Québec was formed in order to identify the appropriate means to help update feeder calf producer files at ATQ. ISO In the spring of 2006, ATQ began its approach towards ISO accreditation for its business processes. Preliminary meetings were held in order to generally plan out the project. A person was also hired to pilot this important project over the year. PURCHASE ORDERS In January 2007, ATQ sent out a brand new identifier purchase order to all bovine producers following a drop in price for tags and a minor change in marking. Members from the bovine tag review committee and ATQ worked together to change the regular markings on tags. This identifier model now has four bold characters on the small visual tag that accompanies the electronic tag. Another novelty in 2007, bovine identifiers are now sold in packs of ten and 30. There are no longer any blank visual tags included in tag orders. Producers can still however purchase packs of 10 and 50 blank visual tags. 16 ATQ First of all, all feeder calf producers will be contacted by regular mail. A first letter was in fact sent out at the end of March 2007, informing cow-calf producers of this significant new project. Among various means implemented to support and help producers, there is the program for lending electronic tag stick readers and the transfer of producer files electronically instead of sending paper. UPDATING FILES Call centre agents still provide summary reports («Bilan au producteur») to producers. This document allows producers who have signed up for it to obtain a paper copy of information regarding all the animals present at their premises. The producer can verify the list and make the necessary changes; a very concrete way to update their file. In January 2007, ATQ also sent out a new identifier purchase order to all ovine producers following a drop in price for tags. There were no changes in terms of identifier marking and format this year for this industry. At the very beginning of 2007, a new purchase order was also sent out to cervid producers. This year, following a change in technology (tags are now FDX technology instead of HDX, the same as in the ovine industry with no impact on the herds), prices have dropped for sets of identifiers.

19 ANGUS ANGUS MARKING At the request of producers and in collaboration with their breed association, Agri-Traçabilité Québec has also been providing since November 2006, specific identifiers for Angus bovine producers in Quebec. Any producer who has a red or black registered bull is eligible to order Angus identifiers. This includes any bovine born to at least one registered Angus parent, thereby insuring at least 50% Angus blood. The producer can order a total of two sets of tags per year for each bull used, registered and owned by him. The double identification offered by ATQ is recognized by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as official identification for the Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Certification Program, replacing the metal H of A tag. Cervid producers wishing to use this system must contact their certified veterinarian. ATQ also continued selling velvet antler identifiers to interested producers. Velvet antler traceability is also offered to those who request it. PORCINE INDUSTRY The Fédération des producteurs de porcs du Québec continued its work this year in this area and has developed a repository in terms of permanent identification and traceability for porcine production. There have been several on-site visits and meetings with various industry stakeholders this year, in collaboration with ATQ, in order to understand the different realities in this industry. ATQ Within the framework of this project, ATQ s computer team added control functions for managing quotas in application orders and for integrating new specifications in the system. As of March 31 st, 2007, around thirty Angus producers have taken advantage of this offer. CERVID INDUSTRY In the fall of 2006, representatives from the Association des éleveurs de wapitis du Québec (AEWQ) and the Quebec Red Deer Association (QRDA) continued their work with the MAPAQ for the implementation of Quebec regulations in terms of cervid traceability. ATQ also presented a request for funding at the federal level in order to conduct a pilot project on automation tools dedicated to the transport of animals carried in groups. This represents a component which is at the heart of the traceability project in the porcine industry in which carriers play a key role. Interesting developments can therefore be expected over the next year. 17

20 TRACEABILITY S DIAGRAM AND STATISTICS SECTOR Number of registered producers on March 31 st, 2007 Total number of identifiers ordered between April 1 st, 2006 and March 31 st, 2007 BOVINE OVINE CERVID CERVID Tags OVINE Tags BOVINE Tags 18 ATQ

21 PILOT PROJECTS Pilot projects are a very significant step prior to implementing traceability in an entire sector because it provides an opportunity to observe realities in the field. A pilot project will help establish: - What type of information needs to be gathered? - What type of identification should be selected? - How to link every component of the sector? - What kind of partnerships should be established? - How to automate to the maximum the transfer of information? The ATQ development team plays a very active role in the realization of these pilot projects, which establish the broad axis of development and help plan the procedures necessary for the implementation of traceability. ATQ is assisted in its tasks by agricultural producers, industry stakeholders and government representatives. Here are the various pilot projects led by Agri- Traçabilité Québec in Pilot Project on Identifier Retention for Bovine in Loose Housing completed Implemented in January 2005, following a decision from the bovine tag review committee, the pilot project on the retention and quality of electronic identifiers and visual tags for bovine in loose housing was completed in October 2006 with the presentation of the final report. identifier retention; identify the tag traps that occur in a loose housing environment; identify the ideal environment where an animal in loose housing will not loose its identifiers and finally, find solutions in terms of producers existing facilities. Here are some of the pilot project findings from its final report: nearly 85% of recorded identifier losses (electronic and visual tags) occur in bovine that were identified during the massive identification (spring of 2002); the identifier loss rate drops with every new identifier generation; visual tag losses are a little more frequent in winter, so the cold factor appears to increase the risk of cracking or shearing of the identifier; certain factors can contribute to good retention (i.e. agricultural hardware, wall finishing, available space per animal, temperature when installed). In light of these findings, ATQ believes that because a stem a few millimetres shorter was chosen with the second generation of identifiers (as of 2003), bovine identifier retention was clearly improved. However, ATQ recommends producers to pay particular attention to various factors that can impact identifier retention, but also when losses occur. This will help them better identify the elements that can lead to losses in their own installations (the famous tag traps or their installation technique) and therefore, be in a better position to find solutions. The project lasted 18 months in order to make some findings and statistics over two winter periods. The project involved eight milk and feeder calf production farms. The main objectives of the project were to measure the impacts of cold weather and aging on 19

22 New Bovine Identifier Retention Project Following the results obtained in the retention pilot project on bovine in loose housing, ATQ wanted to conduct long-term monitoring on several bovine farms. A new bovine identifier retention pilot project, in collaboration with Allflex, was therefore implemented in January 2007 in the milk and feeder calf sectors. Among the numerous objectives pursued, there are the factors of cold temperatures and aging on identifier retention as well as verifying, with laboratory expertise, the resistance of the material used to manufacture the tags. This study, which will provide rigorous monitoring of identifiers over nearly three years, until the summer of 2009, involves conventional and loose housing farms that have very inconsistent loss rates. Our sample of around twenty farms located in six areas in the province is therefore very representative of the bovine industry in Quebec. In addition, within the framework of this project, the computer team at ATQ will develop a tool for statistically extracting representative data from the ATQ database. Within the framework of this project, six farms were also chosen to try an extra-large dangle tag coupled with a RFID component (called the combo tag ) in order to check whether this option might be an interesting choice in the industry. The installation of these identifiers began in May Ovine Pilot Project After two years implementing the in progress completed traceability system in the ovine sector, the lamb and sheep producers decided it would be worth trying new identifiers. The ovine identification pilot project was therefore implemented in around twenty Quebec farms in January The objectives of this project, of which the final report was released in December 2006, were as follows: assess the use of various ovine identifiers in Quebec agricultural farming facilities, both for traceability and for day-to-day operations; assess the use of these same identifiers in the rest of the ovine sector, according to the same terms; recommend the use of a single identifier for all stakeholders. Two types of ovine tags were therefore evaluated within the framework of the pilot project. Assessment parameters focused on the identifier s characteristics (risk of infection, retention, material resistance, ease and rapidity of installation, identifier size, etc.) as well as characteristics pertaining to their reading (distance and ability to read with/without automated reading tools, etc.). Reading tests in strategic areas, such as auctions and slaughterhouses, were also conducted within the framework of this project, comparing the area s capacity to function with different types of identifiers. In light of the results obtained and the different findings made during this pilot project, the ovine tag implementation committee and the Board of Director members at Agri-Traçabilité Québec agreed to continue with the current identifiers for a one-year period. Recommendations were sent to both manufacturers so they would improve their products and therefore better meet the needs of Quebec ovine producers. The Operational and management services Department collaborated with the Development and information Department in order to receive a grant for this project, within the framework of the Challenge and Solution multi-provincial project from the Conseil pour le développement de l agriculture du Québec (CDAQ). ATQ 20

23 Transport Pilot Project As thousands of animals are moved every day between farms, auctions and slaughterhouses, transport is a significant link with respect to traceability in Quebec. The development work for finding solutions that are unique in the world in the transportation industry has intensively continued in in progress Different size trucks require distinct solutions, and ATQ has continued to pursue its objective of developing, in collaboration with various major suppliers, adapted solutions for smaller trucks (pick-ups with Featherlites for example) and for larger trucks (10-wheelers for example). Solutions for smaller trucks ATQ decided to continue the project with two solution providers (Syscan International Inc. and AgInfo Link) for smaller trucks who had done very well during the pilot project s previous steps. In 2006, these solutions were refined. New computers, less bulky and better adapted to the transportation environment are now part of the proposed solutions. In addition, both solutions receive and emit GPS coordinates of loading and unloading locations. This solution offers an alternative to declaring premises numbers and reduces the time required for carriers to meet their obligations in terms of traceability. Finally, it is now possible to send data to the ATQ database completely transparently for the carrier thanks to the use of the GPRS wireless coverage. Solution for larger trucks was a particularly fruitful year for this type of solution. Stemming from a partnership with significant suppliers, ATQ now has a winter and weather resistant fixed-reader solution. The solution is the result of the cooperation work conducted by Syscan International Inc. (computer, printer, software, reading tool, design) and Camions Maska (installation). Designed for larger size trucks such as 10-wheelers, this solution can read tag numbers and send the information to the ATQ database with minimum handling by the carrier. The solution also benefits from the use of GPS and GPRS wireless service. A demonstration of this solution was made in October 2006 in the presence of MAPAQ, suppliers and a carrier-collaborator. Two New Partners One of the suppliers whose solution was rejected in previous stages of the project went back to the drawing board and is now offering a very rugged and simple to use solution which is adapted to smaller trucks. The solution developed by I.D. Ology was tested in the ATQ offices and trials with carriers will take place in the spring and summer of A second partner, made up of the companies Motorola, Scanpak and Rogers, met with ATQ in early 2007 to offer carriers with smaller trucks another solution which also benefits from GPRS wireless service. The prototype should be delivered in the spring and trials will take place in the summer of Next Steps ATQ currently has solutions for carriers with smaller and larger trucks that are practical and that have been tested in the field. A funding program for live animal carriers will be announced soon by the MAPAQ, which will lead to rapid progress over the few months. 21

24 Table Egg Pilot Project Created to evaluate the feasibility of a traceability system for flocks of birds and completed batches of table eggs, the table egg pilot project was completed in February 2007 with the publication of a final report. Mandated by the sectorial committee, the working group developed the pilot project s protocol and realized the project. In progress since early 2005, the project s objective was to establish a single identification and traceability system for flocks of light breed birds in order to better protect the health status of avian population. This system was able to monitor the movements of the flocks of birds throughout the chain of production, from the time of birth of the breeder pullet up to the slaughtering of the spent fowl. Hatcheries, carriers and graders had to make their traceability declarations for every flock of bird and batch of egg movement. The pilot project also helped establish a single identification system from the farm to the table, for every egg produced, graded and commercialized by producers registered in the quality assurance program of the Fédération des producteurs d œufs de consommation du Québec (FPOCQ). The eggs therefore had a new coding which provided the laying premises, bestbefore date, the Julian day and location where grading occurred. With the breeding methods in the avian sector that include movement of bird flocks and batches of eggs from one site to another, the project required that the FPOCQ and ATQ database be adapted to account for this reality. Within the framework of this project, data collection and transferring tools were also developed in collaboration with ATQ s Computer services Department. In addition, the expertise developed during this project, particularly in terms of integrating traceability by batches and automating data transmission processes, helped implement a solid foundation on which other avian production sectors can build. The sectorial committee for table eggs traceability met on June 16 th, 2006 (conference call) and on February 23 rd, The table egg traceability working group is made up of hatchery representatives, pullet producers, graders, carriers, representatives from the Fédération des producteurs d œufs de consommation du Québec, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the MAPAQ, the UPA and ATQ. The sectorial committee for table eggs traceability is made up of hatchery representatives, pullet producers, producers, graders, carriers, representatives from the Fédération des producteurs d œufs de consommation du Québec, Les Éleveurs de volailles du Québec, the Syndicat des producteurs d œufs d incubation du Québec, the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ), the CFIA, the MAPAQ, the UPA and ATQ. FPOCQ 22

25 COMMUNICATIONS Many communication tools have been developed this year in order to keep stakeholders well informed, whether concerning ongoing pilot projects or important messages on identifiers, dates of birth and automation. Again this year, the French and English versions of the Agri-Traçabilité Québec information Website, have been reworked and updated on a regular basis. The work conducted helped make it more user-friendly, add new headings, produce less condensed pages and make information more accessible for all stakeholders. With respect to the real dates of birth in the bovine sector, various communication tools were developed again this year. Small leaflets reminding producers of the importance to declare real dates of birth were again distributed in identifier boxes delivered to producers. Articles were also made on the subject in La Terre de chez nous, the Quebec Farmers Advocate, as well as in Bovins du Québec. An insert concerning real dates of birth was also distributed this year in the mail along with the specialized feeder calf auction calendar by the Fédération des producteurs de bovins du Québec (FPBQ) in July, A few articles were also published in the magazine Bovins du Québec and in the Quebec Farmer s Advocate concerning, among other things, results from the retention pilot project, the significance of double identification, electronic declaration forms, RFID tag reading tools and the new marking for bovine tags. With respect to the ovine sector, in addition to the series ATQ vous informe published in La Terre de chez nous, several information articles on new models of identifiers and on the ovine identification pilot project were published in the magazine Ovins Québec, published by the Fédération des producteurs d agneaux et moutons du Québec, as well as in the Quebec Farmers Advocate, published by the Quebec Farmer s Association. Again this year, La boucle virtuelle, a virtual communication tool specifically developed for industry stakeholders, was also distributed by on a regular basis, both for the bovine sector and the ovine sector. In order to reach producers, other means of communication were also used this year such as letters and official document mail-outs, and there were also various representation activities. Customer service agents at ATQ were also kept up to date with various training seminars and were given many internal information tools allowing them to be informed about the various ongoing projects and the different mail-outs and/or communications published concerning the different sectors. Agri-Traçabilité Québec also published a joint press release in January 2007 with the company Syscan International Inc. following the signing of an agreement concerning the distribution of RFID tag readers from this company. 23

26 ATQ 5 YEARS On October 12, 2006, the ATQ team celebrated its first five years with agricultural producers, industry stakeholders and business partners. At this event, the highlights of our organization s brief history and the basis of the Quebec traceability system were presented. The new video on the identification and traceability of Quebec farm animals produced in collaboration with the MAPAQ s Centre québécois d inspection des aliments et de santé animale (CQIASA) was first presented during that evening. At this event, each guest received a 5 th anniversary special report, detailing the history of traceability in Quebec as well as a special commemorative pad of paper. In addition, many communication tools would not have been developed and this event would not have happened without the generous contribution of around fifteen sponsors who joined in to celebrate ATQ s fifth anniversary. This evening was an opportunity to underline the accomplishments and many challenges ATQ had to meet since its introduction. But even more importantly, this event was an opportunity to highlight the excellent collaboration of all partners and stakeholders from the agricultural industry, who contribute through their efforts to the progress of traceability in Quebec and the implementation of a unique system in the world. RB ATQ employees at the party on October 12, From left, Caroline Gosselin, Lyne Ostiguy, Sylvie Pelletier and Isabelle Bastien. RB 24 A toast to ATQ s first 5 years! From left to right, Michel Saint-Pierre, Deputy Minister MAPAQ, Serge Lefebvre, President of the FPOCQ, André Bellavance, MP from Richmond-Arthabaska and Gyslain Loyer, President of the Syndicat des producteurs d œufs d incubation du Québec.

27 Outside Exchanges The development and information team and senior management at ATQ actively participate in ensuring the visibility of the Quebec traceability system provincially, nationally and internationally. REPRESENTATION WITH NATIONAL COMMITTEES Ms. Linda Marchand sat part of the year as an associate member on the Canadian Livestock Identification Agency (CLIA) Board of Directors as well as on several other working groups stemming from this organization. She now sits on the Industry Government Advisory Committee on Traceability. PARTICIPATING IN EVENTS ATQ representatives attended certain events in order to provide visibility for the organization and explain the underlying principles of the Quebec traceability system. This year, ATQ representatives had a kiosk at the Expo-Bœuf in August 2006, at the Salon de l agriculture de Saint-Hyacinthe in January 2007, at the Salon de la machinerie agricole in February ATQ 2007 and at the Journées techniques Ovi-plus in the Bas St-Laurent region in March PRESENTATIONS The ATQ team receives several requests to speak at national and international conventions, as well as at provincial information meetings. Here are a few presentations the management team made as guest speakers: INSA science days, May 2006 Federal-provincial-territorial committee on the development of traceability in Canada Toronto, May 2006 Meeting of federal-provincialterritorial agriculture deputy ministers Toronto, June 2006 Council of Chief Veterinary Officers Ottawa, June 2006 Colloque en commercialisation des produits agroalimentaires de l Abitibi-Témiscamingue, October 2006 Manitoba government Winnipeg, October 2006 KAP Traceability Meeting Winnipeg, October 2006 Mission franco-québécoise sur la sécurité alimentaire et la traçabilité France, November

28 GREETING VISITORS ATQ is open to sharing its expertise and achievements, and it receives a significant number of visitors every year. During these meetings, in which the traceability system developed in Quebec is presented, visits are organized to our partners facilities such as farms, auctions and slaughterhouses. Representatives from the following organizations have visited us this year: - Agriculture and Agri-food Canada - Atlantic Beef Products, Prince Edward Island - Canada Beef Export - Canadian Zoning Committee West Hawk Lake Meeting - Carrefour Blé - Canadian Pork Council - Alberta government - Representatives from Vietnam AGRI-TRAÇABILITÉ INTERNATIONAL (ATI), A DIVISION OF AGRI-TRAÇABILITÉ QUÉBEC Facing a growing demand in terms of expertise developed in the area of traceability and the needs expressed by organizations, ATQ created a division, Agri- Traçabilité International (ATI). While ATQ was mandated for implementing permanent identification and traceability systems for all Quebec agri-food products, the mission of the Agri-Traçabilité International (ATI) division is to provide state-of-the-art traceability solutions, supported by technical and professional services that meet international standards. By developing effective and personalized traceability solutions, ATI s objective is to be recognized as an international leader in its area of activity. Agri-Trace ATI s goal is to market Agri-Trace TM, which is adapted to customer needs. Agri-Trace TM provides a turnkey solution including the entire range of products and services required for implementing, managing and maintaining a comprehensive or modular permanent identification and traceability system for agri-food products. Advisory Committee An advisory committee, for marketing and development, was created to oversee current management activities at ATI and report back to ATQ s Board of Directors. It is made up of the president of ATQ s Board of Directors, Richard Maheu, of Michel Dessureault and Rénald Levesque as well as two permanent staff members at ATQ, Linda Marchand and Daniel Marcheterre. One position still needs to be filled by someone from an outside organization. Accomplishments Over the last few months, we have worked on the organization s positioning and its services. We have worked hard at better structuring our responses to bidding and we have developed a few promotional tools. To this day, ATI has answered several bids from various national and international organizations. While some organizations have chosen ATI as their service provider for permanent identification and traceability, others have not yet made any decision mostly due to funding. Partnerships In order to effectively meet the needs of its future customers, ATI is currently developing a partnership with the company Covansys, a major player active internationally in the information technology field. In addition, depending on the demand, ATQ could develop other partnerships. 26

29 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE GOOD WORK DONE BY ALL THE PARTNERS Co-operation from all the stakeholders is necessary in order to establish a complete and effective traceability system. Agri-Traçabilité Québec would therefore like to point out the excellent collaboration of all the partners and stakeholders who, directly or indirectly, contributed to the advancement of traceability in Quebec. We would also like to thank all stakeholders who shared their traceability implementation experience by allowing us to visit their businesses with our guests. Their collaboration was a definite plus for national and international recognition of all the work done by every sector involved in traceability in Quebec. Moreover, the ATQ pilot projects involve many people. We would like to thank all the producers, animal carriers, auctioneers, slaughterhouses and sorting centres, permanent staff from specialized federations as well as all the other stakeholders who have taken part, directly or indirectly, in the development or creation of the projects carried out by ATQ. 27 ATQ