DG SANCO commissioned a study with the objective to analyse the technical feasibility and the costs and benefits of the introduction of EID for bovine animals within the legal framework of Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000. This analysis took into account the objectives set in the EU legislation and the strategic aims and objectives set out in the Commission Communication on a new Animal Health Strategy for the EU in relation to animal traceability and concentrated on the economic impacts of three different options (e.g. obligatory, voluntary, 'do nothing') of introducing EID for bovine animals. The cost analysis focused on the necessary investments (identifiers, reading equipment) and the impact on labor costs (working time, reading accuracy) evaluated the extent to which administrative costs would be influenced by the use of EID.
The Commission services used the results of this study for an impact assessment as to whether a legislative review is deemed necessary on this issue.
Partners: Agra CEAS and Van Dijk Management Consultants via the Food Chain Evaluation Consortium (FCEC)