BLR Traceability Synopsis

Since its introduction in 2012, the BLR (Belize Livestock Registry) has been growing and moulding into an essential tool for the Traceability of the cattle industry in Belize. The BLR is composed of different tools that enable us to accurately enter and extract data in order to report from date of birth to death and movement (past and current location) of any specific cattle identified through a unique ear tags placed and identified by our ALAs (Authorized Local Agents) in each district.

Farmer and farm registration are the initial process conducted to be able to assign Tag IDs to a specific farmer (owner) and also to the farm where the animal is currently located. Livestock Identification is the most vital process for traceability to happen. BLPA procures cattle ear tags through OIRSA (Oganismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria) which are in turn added to BLPA’s (Belize Livestock Producers’ Association) inventory and also registered in BLR as available tags. The registration of these batches of tags on the BLR allows our ALAs to properly identify each animal tagged by entering its adequate and unique data. Data is updated and entered after the ALA has tagged and identified the animal for which he has a tag ID, age, sex and breed. Movement Control is the process by which the BLR tracks current and past location of animals identified with an ear tag. A movement permit is required for movement of animals from one farm to another in order to keep track of cattle and be able to correctly identify its origin and current status. A livestock reduction form is required whenever an animal dies by natural cause, dies by a health issue, is slaughtered, lost or exported. This reduction tool used is to properly differentiate between live animals which are active and animals for which data is still available but are no longer physically present, which are considered inactive. All these livestock identification forms, movement permits and livestock reduction forms are facilitated and entered by ALAs in all districts countrywide, Data Operators at BLPA’s main office in Belmopan and also Data Collectors at the various Mennonite Communities countrywide. In order to keep the BLR as accurate as possible, all data is required to be submitted and entered in an adequate amount of time. For this reason, ALAs are required to provide all services at the farms or famers’ residence in their respective district.

Data entered by ALAs and Data Operators can be accessed in real-time at the main office and hence the BLR Manager can properly report accurate information. BLPA provides many stakeholders with current and historical data derived from the BLR through its special reports tool to auto generate and also through analysing and knowledgeable expertise to extract reliable information. BLR is protected by Statutory Instrument No. 77 of 2011.

Organizational Chart

BLR Manager

The BLR Manager oversees all activities that happen in the traceability system and in the field. The BLR Manager has the maximum privileges in the traceability system and is responsible of creating account for ALAs, Cattle Offices, Permit Officers and Taggers. Reports are generated automatically by the system and provides filters by date ranges. Monitors that data being entered is accurate and on a timely basis.

Assistant BLR Manager

The Assistant BLR Manager is responsible for data entry from Mennonite communities when it comes to deliveries of tags, livestock identification, movement permits, reduction and other activities assigned by the BLR Manager.

Authorized Local Agents (ALAs)

ALA work on the field and are the ones that do tagging, issue movement permits, collect tags from BAHA for reduction. ALAs are responsible of performing livestock identification for all the animals they tag, and doing the livestock reduction for the tags they collect from BAHA (ending of each month) and issue movement permits to farmers. ALAs also collect data from farmers when preparing reports for flooding, drought or any other disasters that may affect the cattle industry. Data is entered into the BLR on a daily basis.

Cattle Offices

Cattle offices are responsible for a specific region. They get tags from the main office at Belmopan and are responsible for performing deliveries of tags, livestock identification, movements and supervising taggers in their region. Cattle offices also issue movement permits in their respective regions. They have limited access to the BLR and enter data on a daily basis as needed.

Permit Officers

Permit officers perform the same task as the cattle offices in their respective areas with the only difference that they do not enter their information in the traceability system. Permit officers are responsible of sending information of livestock identification, movement permits and Cess reports to the office on a monthly basis.

Taggers

Taggers are responsible for tagging animals within their regions and they get the tags from the cattle offices or Permit Officers and report back to their respective cattle offices with tag information to be entered in the BLR.