The government of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul is planning to invest about  $25 million in restructuring animal health protection in the state and electronically identifying every beast in its 13 million cattle herd, in a project designed to provide a full traceability system.

Cattle traceability will become mandatory as in neighboring Uruguay

The project will buy and distribute devices such as ear-tags, chips and readers, and equipment for government inspectors.

The government says traceability will ultimately become mandatory, as it is in the neighboring country of Uruguay.

Meanwhile, in Uruguay, the nation’s National Meat Institute will trial a system where all vacuum packed rump tri-tips (known locally and much prized as picanha) carry a QR code labeling system.

QR codes, accessible via an App on an I-phone, are a variation on conventional bar codes, but can carry a great deal more information.

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