gets international recognition
6 August 2007
The International Committee for Animal Recording (Icar) has awarded its
special stamp to the National Animal Recording and Improvement Schemes and the
Integrated Registration and Genetic Information System (Intergis).
Icar is the international body established to set guidelines and quality
assurance for farm animal recording and improvement practices. Sixty six
organisations from 50 countries are members of Icar. The body is built on a
series of subcommittees, working groups and task forces researching all aspects
of livestock recording and productivity that are then used in identifying sound
practices in recording and improvement for member countries. Any member can
apply for an evaluation by Icar to establish if the practices applied by such a
member conform to these standards.
The South African National Animal Recording and Improvement Schemes are
managed by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) as a national service on
behalf of the Department of Agriculture (DoA). South African livestock (beef,
dairy, small stock, pig and poultry) farmers take part in the schemes with the
aim of recording properties of economic importance of their animals and to use
the information derived to enhance the productivity of their herds and flocks.
All information is kept on the Intergis and is accessible by farmers and other
interest groups.
Icar was approached by the ARC to assess the South African system. A task
group consisting of the Vice-President Frank Armatage (United Kingdom) and
Secretary General D Andrea Rosati (Italy) of the organisation visited the
country between October to November 2006 to inspect all systems and to make
recommendations on the awarding of the special stamp.
The outcome of the evaluation culminated in a decision of the executive
board of Icar to award its special stamp to South Africa. This country is the
first on the African continent and only the second (after the Argentinean milk
recording organisation) in the southern hemisphere to receive this honour.
According to the Director: Animal and Aquaculture Production of the DoA, Dr
Motseki Hlatshwayo, "This award is proof of the quality of local farm animal
recording and improvement practices followed in the national system and also
proves the importance of investment of the DoA and ARC in local capacities for
research and development as well as transfer of technology based on local
systems. The South African industry can be proud of our local system and the
people directing it."
For further information contact:
Priscilla Tsotso Sehoole
Chief of Communications: Department of Agriculture
Tel: 012 319 7317
Fax: 012 319 7858
Cell: 083 265 8728
E-mail: dais@nda.agric.za / cdcoc@nda.agric.za / EddieM@nda.agric.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture
6 August 2007
