Welcome to the Traceability Self-Assessment Tool for Producers The Traceability Self-Assessment Tool for Producers is an assessment of your current traceability capabilities. This tool will guide you through a series of questions about your business's current traceability drivers and abilities, as well as identify potential gaps in traceability best practices. By closing these gaps using an action plan, you will have a plan to implement an effective traceability system and be well positioned to achieve your business goals. Section 1 What is traceability? Traceability is the ability to verify the location of identified animals, plants, food or other products and follow their associated history along the agri-food chain, forwards and backwards. This includes all stages of production, processing, distribution and sales. In other words, traceability is the process of tracking an identified product (and its attributes) as it moves between locations. Traceability is achieved through effective recordkeeping that collects, keeps and shares relevant animal, product and production information. Recordkeeping must be: Easy to use Easy to access Purposeful – provides useful information to your business Organized A traceability system is defined by the method used to collect, keep and share the three pillars of traceability through production records. This can be done using cost-effective paper forms or more sophisticated electronic systems using software such as Excel spreadsheets and hardware (e.g. wand readers, barcode scanners) or a combination of both. It also includes standards and procedures for capturing the required data for traceability as set out by your buyer’s requirements or through national commodity regulations. Why do you need a traceability system? An effective traceability system provides your business the means to prove you are in compliance with requirements or regulations (where applicable) for tracking animals and products in the event of an incident. It is a risk management tool for your business that helps to identify where an animal or product is at any given moment so it can be isolated or disposed of quickly to contain disease or prevent a foodborne illness outbreak. A traceability system is also:
Welcome to the Traceability Self-Assessment Tool for Producers The Traceability Self-Assessment Tool for Producers is an assessment of your current traceability capabilities. This tool will guide you through a series of questions about your business's current traceability drivers and abilities, as well as identify potential gaps in traceability best practices. By closing these gaps using an action plan, you will have a plan to implement an effective traceability system and be well positioned to achieve your business goals. Section 1 What is traceability? Traceability is the ability to verify the location of identified animals, plants, food or other products and follow their associated history along the agri-food chain, forwards and backwards. This includes all stages of production, processing, distribution and sales. In other words, traceability is the process of tracking an identified product (and its attributes) as it moves between locations. Traceability is achieved through effective recordkeeping that collects, keeps and shares relevant animal, product and production information. Recordkeeping must be: Easy to use Easy to access Purposeful – provides useful information to your business Organized A traceability system is defined by the method used to collect, keep and share the three pillars of traceability through production records. This can be done using cost-effective paper forms or more sophisticated electronic systems using software such as Excel spreadsheets and hardware (e.g. wand readers, barcode scanners) or a combination of both. It also includes standards and procedures for capturing the required data for traceability as set out by your buyer’s requirements or through national commodity regulations. Why do you need a traceability system? An effective traceability system provides your business the means to prove you are in compliance with requirements or regulations (where applicable) for tracking animals and products in the event of an incident. It is a risk management tool for your business that helps to identify where an animal or product is at any given moment so it can be isolated or disposed of quickly to contain disease or prevent a foodborne illness outbreak. A traceability system is also:
gf2-assurance-tr-efSAP2.docx