Traceability in the Meat Industry

Increases in consumer demand, market opportunities and regulators are demanding that abattoirs are able to provide traceability of cattle back to its origin. Traceability of cattle provides numerous benefits including access to restricted markets (such as the European Union), improved pre-slaughter management, quick and accurate tracking of disease, and improved management and production decisions through more informed and detailed information.

Australia’s National Livestock Identification System allows for the identification and traceability of cattle. Cedar Creek Company’s software systems fully embrace all the requirements set out by AQIS and Meat and Livestock Australia regarding this whole of life identification system.

Cedar Creek’s systems deliver outcomes in traceability, yield control and production performance. They allow for report generation and near real time human performance measurements. For example, you will be able to monitor preset tolerances such as tray weight, give-away, grade and quality; all against time and date by station and operator.

In today’s market with such a focus on food safety and provenance, meat processors need not only to have quality and safety systems in place but they also need to be publicly seen to have them in place. When a possible product contamination occurs, consumers make their judgements as much on the speed and efficiency of the reaction to such an occurrence as they do on it happening in the first place. A good, well documented food safety and traceability system becomes part of a company’s brand advantage, positioning the brand as safe and reliable with customers and consumers alike.

• Improved payment schedules that can be matched to product quality.
• Market information to be returned to the various participants within the Meat Industry.
• Production planning to be matched with market forecasts and/or order requirements.
• Provides the capacity to add value to other parts of the supply chain through the sharing of information.
• Multiple uses of information: quality assurance, supply chain management, production feedback, and compliance and consumer feedback.
• Increased consumer confidence through the assurance of quality standards.