REVIEW: Identification and Traceability of Cattle in Selected Countries Outside of North America

Animal identification by means of marking animals' bodies was first recorded 3,800 yr ago in the Code of Hammurabi, and throughout history, valuable animals such as horses have been identified to prevent thievery all over the world. Today, the reasons for identification of livestock include production management, control of disease outbreaks, establishment of ownership, requirements for export, and consumer demands. Additionally, there are many methods of animal identification and traceability available today including ear tags, tattooing, branding, electronic methods that implement radio frequency identification technologies (such as rumen boluses, ear tags, and injectable transponders), and biometric methods (such as retinal scanning, nose prints, and DNA). The objective of this review is to demonstrate the implementation of bovine animal identification and traceability systems in selected countries outside of North America (i.e., United States, Canada, and Mexico) for the purpose of creating a knowledge base whereby an effective North American bovine animal identification and traceability system may be created and implemented. This review will discuss regulatory requirements of animal identification and traceability in selected countries.