New Livestock Information Service champions farm to fork traceability

Identifying and tracking animal movements via electronic IDs (initially dairy cows, cattle, sheep, pigs and goats) also means that the industry and government will be better placed to respond in the event of a disease outbreak.

The announcement today (Tuesday 3 April) follows significant contributions from industry stakeholders over the past year through a partnership called the Traceability Design User Group (TDUG), which will help create and develop the new service.

Mr Gove said: "This service will be instrumental in improving traceability and providing guarantees to consumers about the origin of their food. NFU President Minette Batters, among others, has helped lead the way on this, showing how it will drive a progressive and vibrant livestock industry once we leave the EU. Working hand-in-hand with industry, we will design and implement a service that puts food safety, animal health and welfare and environmental enhancement at its core."

NFU President Minette Batters said: "It’s essential that government and industry work together and this a great example of what we can achieve when we do. I feel that this is totally transformational, underpinning our reputation in producing some of the best meat and livestock products in the world. It’s a win for government, a win for team agriculture and, most of all, it’s a win for the consumer."

John Cross, Chairman of the Traceability Design User Group, said: "Government and industry ambitions are aligned in understanding the need for and benefits of a single digital multi-species livestock traceability and information service. The best use of proven modern technology will make it simple for farmers, food chain companies and government to use the service and reap the benefits of shared data that will put the UK livestock industry on the front foot as a global trading partner."