The RFID technology firm, Advanced ID Corporation, has issued a progress report on its efforts to commercialise livestock-tracking and identification technology globally, concluding that the technology has already been well received in seven countries, and that the market will continue to grow.

     "We are very encouraged by our progress to date as we have been able to secure revenues from our new RFID livestock technology well ahead of our expected time scales," said Barry Bennett, president and CEO for Advanced ID Corporation, commenting on the recent rise in interest in livestock identification and trace back systems to minimise or eliminate the spread of disease, which ultimately helps to ensure food safety. 116.30.147.133 This article is copyright 2004 UsingRFID.com.

Argentina
     In Argentina, Advanced ID recently completed its first order for 100,000 RFID tags and is now in discussions for an additional order of 400,000 tags, plus 30 RFID readers for the identification of all remaining cattle located in the State of Salta. The Argentine bovine market is numbered at just over 50 million head and represents potential revenues of up to US$40 million per year.

United States
     In the United States, the company has had a number of discussions with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and numerous livestock organisations to set up product demonstrations and field trials. According to Bennett, its goal now is to work with industry users, since the USDA has indicated its intent to allow them to make their own choices for livestock identification technology.

Canada
     In Canada, Bennett says the company is currently holding talks with the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency and Alberta Agriculture to structure a formal evaluation of its technology for approval as an RFID identification system. Discussions have also been held with leaders from the hog and sheep industries, who have also expressed their intent to evaluate the technology.

Australia
     In Australia, the company has now scheduled meetings in June 2004 through its Australian distribution partner, Trace Australia Pty Ltd., to meet with leaders from the hog and sheep industries in order to set up field demonstrations of its technology. It is estimated that the Australian sheep market alone represents potential revenues approaching US$200 million.

New Zealand
     In New Zealand, Advanced ID has had some preliminary discussions with sheep industry officials regarding their intent to implement an identification and trace back system for the country''s livestock. The company also aims to set up field trials and large-scale technology demonstrations. The current population of sheep in New Zealand is estimated at some 40 million head.

Thailand
     In Thailand, the government has expressed a desire to implement an RFID system as soon as possible as a result of the recent Avian Influenza outbreak, and has asked Advanced ID to help the country with an assessment of its current infrastructure. The company will be working with government officials to help satisfy the country''s goal of establishing an identification and trace back system over the next few months. It is estimated that the Thailand hog industry represents potential revenues of up to US$15 million per year.

Taiwan
     In Taiwan, the company met with elected government officials on April 17th, 2004, including representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Health, to demonstrate its RFID systems. Consequently, the company is to work with the government to help with its goal of deploying an identification and trace back system for the entire livestock industry.

     Advanced ID is to conduct a final large-scale trial through its Taiwanese distribution partner, LKIT Co. Ltd., to help develop the specification for such a system. Taiwan''s government has already indicated its intent to enact legislation for the mandatory identification of livestock, and Advanced ID is also expected to advise the government during that process. The Taiwanese market represents potential revenues of up to US$25 million per year.

     In other initiatives, according to Bennett, the company is also negotiating to secure distributors for Brazil and China, and is expecting to expand its manufacturing base to include Thailand.

 

 

 

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