WO1998041084A1

WO1998041084A1 - Method of and apparatus for electronically labelling farmed animals

Info

Publication number: WO1998041084A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/000635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Sydney Webber
Original assignee: Richard Sydney Webber
Priority date: 1997-03-14
Filing date: 1998-03-16
Publication date: 1998-09-24
Also published as: GB9705343D0; AU6407298A

Abstract

A system and method for electronically labelling animals, comprising data storage means (4) for storing information relating to each of said animals, means (10) for scanning a chip implanted in each of said animals and reading an implantation number from each of said chips, means for transmitting the implantation number to the data storage means (4), and means for inputting a reference number associated with the implantation number for each implanted chip into the data storage means (4), the storage means being arranged to store information on each animal under a unique combination of implantation number and reference number.

Description

Method of and Apparatus for Electronically Labelling Farmed Animals

The present application relates to a method of and apparatus for electronically labelling farmed animals and in particular to a method and apparatus utilising microchips, or radio frequency tags, herein referred to as chips.

Electronically labelling or tagging animals has, to date, been limited to the implanting of chips into domestic pets such as cats and dogs. These chips contain limited data regarding the ownership of the pet in question. If a stray pet is located it is scanned by a vet or other person having the appropriate equipment and the information on the chip is displayed on a local computer display. As each pet has only one implanted chip for its lifetime the cost involved in implanting is not an issue.

Some chips implanted into pets may migrate through parts of the animal's body during its lifetime. This is not a problem with domestic pets as the vet scanning the animal merely runs a hand held scanner across its flanks and back and underside until the chip is detected. However, this is a serious problem in implanting farmed animals especially those intended for domestic consumption, because before chips could be used in farmed animals their removal at the point of slaughter must be guaranteed. This is extremely difficult, time consuming and costly if the chip has migrated, especially to a muscled part of the animal such as its shoulder.

The labelling or tagging of farmed animals such as, for example, sheep, cattle, pigs, deer and goats is increasingly becoming desirable as there is a long felt need in this area for a means of identifying animals and tracking their locations in order to combat the growing problem of disease in animals such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). In addition a means of labelling animals and tracking them throughout their life will greatly increase consumer confidence in the meat and farming industries and in the safety of meat products. However, the domestic pet style implant is wholly unsuitable on an industrial farming scale as the costs are prohibitive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of and apparatus for electrically labelling farmed animals which addresses the above referenced problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for electronically labelling animals, comprising data storage means for storing information relating to each of said animals, means for scanning a chip implanted in each of said animals and reading an implantation number from each of said chips, means for transmitting the implantation number to the data storage means, and means for inputting a reference number associated with the implantation number for each implanted chip into the data storage means, the storage means being arranged to store information on each animal under a unique combination of implantation number and reference number.

Preferably, the means for scanning a chip is a hand held scanner connected to a processor which is arranged to save the implantation number and the corresponding reference number and transmit the combination thereof to the data storage means. Most preferably, the processor is arranged on receipt of each new implantation number to determine if this number has been used previously

and only to accept the input of a corresponding reference number i relation to this implantation number if the implantation number has been determined to be useable at this time.

The processor may be connected to a manual input keyboard by which the reference number may be input. Alternatively the processor may be connected to a second scanning means which is arranged to read a chip or bar code from a tag, in which the reference number is stored, the tag being attached to the animal in which the corresponding chip has been implanted.

The processor may be connected to the data storage means via a modem and a visual display unit (VDU) may be connected to the processor. If a VDU is connected to the processor the system is arranged such that when the data storage means receives the implantation number and the reference number only the reference number is provided to the visual display unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of electronically labelling animals, including storing information relating to each animal in a data storage means, implanting a chip in each of said animals and scanning the chip to read an implantation number from the chip, inputting a reference number into said data storage means corresponding to each implantation number and storing the information on each animal under a unique combination of implantation and reference number. Preferably, the implantation number and reference number are combined before being stored in the data storage means.

More preferably, when the implantation number is received by scanning the chip, a determination is made as to whether or not the chip has previously been used and the implantation number is only accepted for provision of a corresponding reference number if the implantation number is determined to be useable at this time.

The implantation number is only deemed to be useable if it has not been used previously or if it has been cleared by a central processing facility as relating to reuse after death or slaughter of the previous animal in which the chip containing the information was implanted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for monitoring the location of animals which have been electronically labelled using the system described above, wherein a plurality of further scanners are arranged to scan the animals at specific locations, such as the entrances to or exits from a farm, a lairage or an abattoir, each of the scanner is connected to a central database of animal locations on which information, including animal location, relating to each animal is stored.

Preferably, one or more of said scanners may be connected to visual display means to display said stored information, the system being arranged to display the stored information and the reference number only and not the implantation number.

An advantage of this method is that of increased security whereby the only information available to a person scanning an animal, regarding its identity, is the reference number which is already available on the animals tag and which is not enough to uniquely identify the animal without the additional implantation number. However, the necessary implantation and reference number uniquely identifying an animal is provided at the data storage means of the central processing facility, so that any irregularity in animal movement can be quickly ascertained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of monitoring the locations of animals, which have been electronically labelled using the method described above, wherein animals are scanned at strategic locations such as the entrances to or exits from a farm, a market, a lairage or an abattoir, and said scanned information is transmitted to a central database of animal locations.

Preferably, the stored information may be displayed on one or more visual display means connected to one or more of the scanners used to scan the animals, the information presented on the visual display means not including the implantation number relating to the scanned animal.

The terms implantation number and reference number are intended to mean any numeric, alpha-numeric or other identification characters which are suitable for use in such a system and is not limited to mere numeric references.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system for electronically labelling farmed animals in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a flow chart representing the supply route of electronic implantation chips, in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 3 is a flow chart of the steps involved in a method of electronically labelling farmed animals using the system of Figure 1.

Figure 1 illustrates a system 2 for electronically tagging farmed animals including a data storage means 4 for storing information related to each of said animals. The data storage means 4 will include a memory means 6 and input means 8 for inputting implantation numbers before the chips are sent out to individual farmers, as will be described in detail below. This system also includes means 10 in the form of a hand held scanner for scanning a chip implanted in each of said animals and reading an implantation number from each of the updated chips. Means 12 for transmitting the implantation number to the data storage means 4 include a processor 14 and a modem 16 connected via connection 18 to the data storage means 4. Means 20 for inputting a reference number in respect of each implantation number is provided in the form of a keypad connected to the processor 14. The data storage means 4 is arranged to store information on each animal under a unique combination of implantation number and reference number, as will be described further below.

In order to be able to re-use chips removed from slaughtered farmed animals the processor 14 is configured to review the implantation number obtained by scanning a chip before or after implementation into an animal to determine whether or not this number and therefore this chip has been previously used in an animal. If the number has not been previously used then the processor will allow the input of a corresponding reference number. However, if the number has been re-used the input of a reference number will only be permitted if the implantation number is determined to be useable. Implantation numbers are listed on a file which is down loaded by modem or sent on disc to a farmer with the corresponding chips. The farmers PC interrogates the file to determine if the chip is usable.

As an alternative to a manual keypad 24 for inputting reference numbers, the reference numbers may be provided on a tag 26 which must be attached to the animal, as will be discussed below, and as well as a visual representation may be represented in the form of a chip or bar code which can be scanned, for ease of input of data, by an appropriate scanner 28. If the chip is similar to the implanted chip then the same scanning means may be used.

The system may also provide for a visual display unit 22 connected to the processor 14.

This VDU 22 will display information relating to the scanned animal such as the farm on which the animal is based and to which the chips were sent by the central processing facility who monitors and runs the system. This information can be up-dated and added to as time goes on, as will be discussed below.

When in use to implant a chip into an animal, the system is used in the following manner. The central processing facility inputs the implantation number into the memory means 6 and stores under that number information regarding the farm to which the chip is being sent. The chip, along with others which have also been logged, is then sent to the farm in question. A farmer can then implant the chip into an animal and scan the chip using the hand held scanner 10 which is connected to the processor 14. The farmer will then either manually input a reference number or scan a reference number from an ear tag which is to be attached to the animal, thus providing the processor with a unique combination of implant number and reference number. This information is forwarded directly to the data storage means 4 via a modem and a telephone line 18. The receipt of this information at the data storage means 4 may be indicated to the farmer by the transmission therefrom of the reference number which will then be displayed on a display 22. Thereafter whenever the animal is scanned the reference number and not the implantation number is provided as an identification of the animal on the visual display 22.

The implantation number may be obtained from the system only on input of a security code by a veterinary or government official or other authorised person.

The chip may be positioned at the base of the animal's ear, known as the secure position, in which the chip will not be detectable in the animal but will take approximately thirty seconds to remove during the slaughter process. An alternative location for the chip is approximately one third from the head along the animals ear, which will be known as the management position and which will be detectable but will only take five seconds to recover during the slaughter process. This timing is important as the average slaughter line requires approximately seven seconds per lamb, for example, and if the chip is placed in the management position it may be removed during slaughter without holding up a slaughter line. In addition this will prevent the requirement for the ears of animals to be removed for the retrieval of the implant elsewhere. Clearly there must be a secure means for removal of the ears so that they may have the chips retrieved and sterilised and returned to the central processing facility from specific abattoirs individually so that the place of slaughter of the animal is detected as well as its location throughout its life. This process is illustrated in the supply route of Figure 3. The chips are prepared and logged on a system at a central database in the central processing facility 30 and sent to a farmer 32 for implant into his livestock. The animals are then maintained on the farm until they are either a) sent for slaughter at an abattoir 34 or sent to another farmer or alternate location 36 for fattening and continued maintenance. If the animal is not directly sent to slaughter from the farmer 32 it will ultimately be sent to an abattoir 34 after fattening. Once the animal is slaughtered the chips if in the secure position are removed along with either the animals head or ear as required and the chip is removed and sent for sterilisation at a sterilisation plant 36 prior to being re-packaged and returned to the central processing facility for re-issue. If the chip is placed in the management position in the animals ear it may be removed as part of the slaughter process. The chip is then forwarded for sterilisation and re-issue as discussed above.

Also, as stated above, all chips are logged to the person purchasing them prior to their supply to the purchaser. In this way there can be no error as to chip location at the beginning of the logging process. On implantation the farmer is required to log the chip implantation number and its paired reference or tag number, which will be the animal's ear tag number, on to an analytical database which can be remote or on his PC. This process enables as discussed above re-issue of a unique number for all animals. As will be discussed below the computer at an abattoir will be provided with information from an abattoir scanner which will automatically log the chip in each of the animals processed by the abattoir. This information will be provided back to the central database. A chip will not be re-useable prior to information on the slaughter of its host animal being provided to the central processing facility.

In the abattoir once the sheep or lambs, for example, are stunned the heads are removed and implants read away from the carcass on a fixed reader of approximately fifteen inch diameter. At this point a lot or kill number may be logged to allow recognition at the grading station of each animal. The lamb tag/EID numbers will then be on first on first off basis.

The chips and needles used to implement them are sterilised in Anprolene gas prior to re-use.

Figure 2 illustrates a system for monitoring the location of animals which have been tagged electronically using the system and method described above. A plurality of scanners are provided at key locations such as the entrances and exits to a farm, a lairage or an abattoir or on the slaughter line of an abattoir. Each of the scanners is connected to the central data storage means 4 and an animal cannot be moved from one location to another passed a scanner without information on this passage being provided to the central data memory storer 4. Therefore not only would a farmer have to provide a bill of sale for the purchase of, for example sheep from another farmer, the system would also have to show the exit of the sheep from the first farmer's farm and the entrance of the sheep to the second farmer's farm. The scanners may also be connected to a PC 42 and a visual display means 44. This sort of system is more likely at an entrance to a lairage or to an abattoir and is not anticipated to be used at exits to a farm. As above with the aforementioned method and system the visual display means will display the reference number and not the implant number of each animal.

Is this way the system provides for secure identification of animals using a non-migrating chip of approximately 14 mm length and 2 mm circumference to 18 mm length and 2.5 mm circumference, although alternate sizes may be provided in the future. The chips are maintained in the animal throughout its life and the animal's location is monitored therefore in a secure manner. For example, if a farmer was to try to sell an animal from his farm without passing his sensor the farmer to whom the animal is sold could not send the animal to slaughter because at the point of slaughter scanning of the chip would highlight a discrepancy in the origin of the animal.

Also, the re-use of chips used previously in slaughtered animals, drastically reduces the cost of implementing this process were new chips to be used with each animal.

Modifications may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A system for electronically labelling animals, comprising data storage means for storing information relating to each of said animals, means for scanning a chip implanted in each of said animals and reading an implantation number from each of said chips, means for transmitting the implantation number to the data storage means, and means for inputting a reference number associated with the implantation number for each implanted chip into the data storage means, the storage means being arranged to store information on each animal under a unique combination of implantation number and reference number.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the means for scanning a chip is a hand held scanner connected to a processor which is arranged to receive said implementation number and said corresponding reference number and transmitting the combined number to said data storage means.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the processor is arranged on receipt of each new implementation number to determine if this number has been used previously and only to accept the input of a reference number if the implementation number is useable at this time.

4. A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, when the reference data is provided on a tag which is attached to the animal having the corresponding chip implanted therein.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, when the processor is connected to a manual input keypad by which the reference numbers are input.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 4, when the processor is connected to a second scanning means which is arranged to read a chip or bar code from a tag in which the reference number is stored.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is connected to the data storage means via a modem.

8. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a visual display unit is connected to the processor.

9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the data storage means comprises a memory and a processor arranged on receipt of an enquiry regarding a scanned implementation number to transmit the information along with the reference number only.

10. A system as claimed in Claim 9 when dependent on claim 8, wherein the data storage means receives the implantation number and the reference number, but only the reference number is provided to the visual display unit.

11. A method of electronically labelling animals, including storing information relating to each animal in a data storage means, implanting a chip in each of said animals and scanning the chip to read an implementation number from the chip, inputting a reference number into said data storage means, and storing said information corresponding to each implementation number on each animal under a unique combination of implementation and reference number.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the implementation data and reference data are combined before being stored in the data memory means.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the implementation number is reviewed to determine if it has been used previously and is only accepted for provision of corresponding reference data if the implementation data is determined to be usable.

14. A method according to claims 11 and 12, wherein the implementation number is only deemed to be usable if it has not been used previously or if it has been cleared by a central processing facility as relating to re-use after death or slaughter of the previous animal in which the chip containing the implantation data it was implanted.

15. A system for monitoring the location of animals which have been electronically labelled using the system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein a plurality of further scanners are arranged to scan the animals at specific locations, such as the entrances to or exits from a farm, lairages or an abattoir, each of which is connected to a central data base in which information relating to each animal is stored.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein one or more of said scanners are connected to visual display means to display said stored information, said system being arranged to display the stored information and the reference data only, not disclosing the implementation data.

17. A method of monitoring the location of animals, which have been electronically labelled using the method of claims 11 to 14, wherein animals are scanned at strategic locations including entrances to and exits from a farm, a lairage or an abattoir and said scanned information is transmitted to a central data base in which information relating to each animal is stored.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the information is displayed on one or more visual display means connected to one or more of the scanners used to scan the said animals, the information being displayed not including the implementation number.

19. A system and method of electronically labelling animals as herein described with reference to Figure 1 and 2.

20. A system and method of locating animals as herein described with reference to Figure 3.