BRAZIL

Brazil: Sao Paulo launched a voluntary bovine traceability program

The Brazilian state of São Paulo will begin a process of electronic individual traceability for cattle, similar to the one Argentine will implement. However, the main difference is that in Brazil the system will be voluntary, while in Argentine, under the government of Javier Milei, it will be mandatory from 2025.

Posted on Nov 23 ,00:05

The announcement was made by the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, accompanied by the Secretary of Agriculture and Supply, Guilherme Piai. According to them, the goal is to achieve full traceability of the state's cattle by 2030.

"This system will start on a voluntary basis. International markets are imposing increasingly strict requirements regarding traceability, especially the European Union. Even China is looking into this issue, so we could not wait any longer", said Guilherme Piai, who also stressed that traceability will cover the calf.

The Argentine government has decided to implement a mandatory traceability system starting in 2025. By that year, the State will guarantee the availability of the system, but its mandatory nature has generated criticism among rural entities.

During 2024, several Argentine rural organizations, such as Confederaciones Rurales Argentinas (CRA), demanded that the system be voluntary rather than mandatory. This request had strong support from ranchers, especially from the NEA, NOA and coastal regions.

In São Paulo, the identification and traceability system, called Sirbov SP, plans to cover at least 20% of the state's herd by 2025, with an estimated stock of 11.5 million heads of cattle. The goal is to achieve full coverage within five years.

"The identification and traceability system for cattle and buffalo in São Paulo is essential to monitor the life cycle from the beginning, guarantee food security and, above all, open new markets", said Governor Tarcísio de Freitas.

Secretary Guilherme Piai stressed: "The system will be freely adopted by farmers, who will have the opportunity to improve the management of their herds".