National identification and recording-systems for contagious animal-disease control

Abstract A conceptual framework was described for national identification and recording (I&R) systems, especially referring to the role in the control of highly contagious diseases in pigs. Subsequently, four different concepts of I&R systems were described: a current system meeting EU minimum standards, a revised system that will be introduced in several countries in the near future and two future concepts, based on electronic identification and monitoring. These concepts were discussed from the perspective of (1) their role in disease prevention and control, and (2) the impact of additional applications of these systems on animal production. It was concluded that improvement of the current I&R system can be beneficial to contagious disease control. Moreover, electronic identification and monitoring systems could be an especially important tool in improving collection and subsequent utilisation of information in future animal production. The additional applications would also be very valuable in increasing the economic feasibility of these systems.