The Brazilian cattle tracking system, SISBOV, has introduced new rules which came into force on September 12.

In the old system, cattle inspection took place only when breeders wanted to add animals to the national SISBOV database. The new system requires that the certifying company inspects each property every six months and, if the animals are confined, inspection is due every 60 days. Breeders must have a special book in which they record all the different materials used on the farm such as fertilisers, animal feed components as well as any medicine given to their cattle.

Those opting for the system will have to start a registration programme covering all the animals on their properties while the old system only required registration for animals that would be used for export. Registration must be completed through a certifying company which is responsible for the necessary inspections and for sending the relevant data to the Ministry of Agriculture. Inspections include checking if the animals have been given an ID earring and whether the details submitted in registration forms are correct.

Adhering to the new rules is not currently compulsory but the European Union and Chile have warned that, as of 2008, they will only buy Brazilian beef from registered animals. All breeders intending to sell their cattle to meat packers who export their production will have to register their herds by December 2007 at the latest.

A breeder commenting on the new rules said that the new system would help breeders plan their work and manage their properties and herds more efficiently. He said, “Everything will have to be recorded, from the weight of the animals to the control of materials, showing the true overall cost of running a property breeding cattle for beef in Brazil.”