Animals tracked with RFID

The development of the radio frequency identification system (RFID) for animal identification and traceability, as well as in logistics and supply-chain systems, are two key areas of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec)'s RFID development roadmap.

Nectec has developed the RFID roadmap to build the local RFID industry while encouraging local hardware and software developers to take part in this emerging industry.

Under the plan, the centre has set four strategies for RFID development in each area. They include training of staff; the development of RFID infrastructure in terms of policy and IT infrastructure; technology transfer to the private sector as well as marketing development; and creating more RFID research and development in the country.

According to the centre's RFID programme director Chaichana Mitrpant, the centre this year will focus on pushing a prototype RFID development for use as animal identification and traceability.

The centre is in the process of gathering information about Thai livestock to develop a database and IT system for animals.

The centre has joined with the Livestock Department to conduct a pilot project to use RFID to help trace livestock from their origin. The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding on the matter last year.

Chaichana said RFID technology would help the Livestock Department trace farm animals, to know their origin and all the stages during their processing, which was important when it comes to export. As the world is moving towards food safety trends, it's also a must for food exporters to adopt this technology to allow their customers to trace their products.

Chaichana said in the meantime, the technology would also allow the department to identify animals, especially when it comes to check their status and control diseases such as bird flu.

 "The identification features of RFID will help the department know the exact information about all livestock. When a problem occurs, it can identify, for example, which stock from which farm have a disease so it can tackle the problem at that particular point," he said.

In the project, Nectec will develop a database, protocol standards and applications to support animal traceability for the Livestock Department to conduct a pilot test on a farm. Information about livestock from the farm will be sent to the department for further record.

Chaichana said RFID technology would allow the farm to keep personal information on all livestock, including breeding, age, weight, as well as medical and food history. This information is vital for the department to trace the animals.

Initially, the pilot project will start a traceability process between farm and the department. The project will then expand to cover all animal supply chains including slaughterhouse, processing plant, wholesaler and retailer.

"If every step of the supply chain adopts the new technology, it will make the whole process of animal traceability complete," he said.

In the meantime, the project will also be conducted along with the development of the National Animal ID. According to the plan, all livestock, marine animals, wildlife and pets in Thailand will be assigned their own identification. With this, it would be easier for the department and other related organisations to trace the animals in the country.

Nectec has also finished the draft of the National Animal ID system, which can be used as a guideline for issuing identification. The centre plans to study the implementation of animal identification in other countries before it concludes the final draft for implementation in Thailand.

"We still have some questions on the national animal system, such as security during the issuing process and defining the 15-digit number, which we have to sort out before announcing it as a standard. However, we believe that it can all be concluded this year before we start the pilot test on animal traceability," Chaichana said.

He added that the centre also planned next year to start an RFID project for logistics and supply-chain systems. He said this area was huge and required RFID to improve the efficiency of working processes.

The centre plans to talk with the Federation of Thai Industries to join in a pilot test.

"We will find industry partners to help develop RFID for logistics and supply-chain systems to showcase real implementation in the area," he said. As RFID is still new for the industry, Nectec hopes that the development of RFID in these projects will create a demand in the market.

Apart from demand side, Chaichana said the centre would also push development of the supply side by focusing on producing more local developers in the RFID field to serve industry demand. "We hope to train people in three key areas - hardware developers, system integrators and researchers. We believe that these groups will be a foundation for further RFID development in the country," he said.

Pongpen Sutharoj,

J irapan Boonnoon

The Nation