Demo 1: Demonstration of a concept for the harmonisation of veterinary findings in centralised databases
The harmonisation of veterinary findings should be the main result of the demonstration chain. This will be achieved by creating standardised veterinary codes and thereby making veterinary findings comparable beyond individual slaughterhouses and regions. Official meat-hygiene supervision personnel will be supported by a software programme to collect and forward information most efficiently. By standardizing the database structures, an improvement of data quality, as well as a consistent data management can be achieved to support all in the value-added chain involved parties.
Description of Demo 1
1.) What is the main objective of the demo chain?
In the course of the official meat hygiene examination, evaluation of the carcass and its organs is made by authorised veterinarians in slaughterhouses. Currently, these veterinary findings are generally stated in different specificity and scale in regard to its quantity, quality and the definition of these findings. In order to realise a comparable evaluation and administration of the meat hygiene examination, the veterinary findings will be categorised and harmonised within this demo chain. Final objective is to provide uniform data to all parties involved in the pork production chain in centralised databases.
2.) Please explain the status quo of the activities within the demo chain.
Different systems for findings in slaughterhouses in Bavaria/Germany have been compiled and evaluated in regard to differences and similarities. Different findings and finding codes of the meat hygiene examination, as well as additional meat inspection requirements of quality systems (e.g. “QS – Qualität und Sicherheit”) have been summarised and categorised. Currently, the mapping of findings data into a common scheme with a common raster is in progress.
3.) Which results can be expected in the further course of the project?
The main result will be the mapping of presently used divergent finding code systems at slaughterhouses to one uniform veterinary findings code scheme. After the final development of a common scheme for a harmonised findings system, it will be visualised graphically and integrated with an easy-to-use software for a decentralised, but standardised recording of the findings during meat hygiene examinations at slaughterhouses. Finally, the recorded results will be published in centralised databases and the data will be provided to authorised user groups, which are involved in the pork production chain (e.g. farmers, slaughterhouses).
4.) How can these results be realised (e.g. which technology is used etc.)?
Based on the concept for a harmonised findings system and its visualisation, software including an applied logic will be developed and programmed in order to record the veterinary findings by means of a touch-screen in a quick and simple way. The collected data will be transmitted to a centralised, internet-based database. Authorised and affected users within the pork production chain will have access to the password protected results of the meat hygiene examination.
5.) What are the main steps in the next period?
The first step will be the finalisation of the concept for a harmonised findings system and its common raster. The final mapping of veterinary findings to a unified key of vet-codes has to be followed by the programming of software and implementation of a touch-screen to the system. Finally, an adjustment of the already existing centralised and internet-based database is necessary in order to publish the veterinary findings to its users.
6.) What are the innovative aspects of the demo chain compared to the status quo of the pig and pork sector?
Presently, the individual and non-standardised examination of findings made by veterinarians exacerbate comparability of objection quotas between slaughterhouses and impede the profit farmers could draw from more consistent results. A harmonised veterinary findings system will help to give more evaluable, reliable and consistent information especially to stock-breeders, farmers and their veterinary consultants.
Moreover, the publication of this data in an internet-based database ensures an easy accessible, prompt and secure source of information to all authorised parties involved in the pork production chain. This will finally lead to a sustainable and significant quality intensification of pork products.
7.) How can these results apply to other companies in the sector?
The harmonisation of veterinary findings will be applicable to numerous slaughterhouses. First of all, it is planned to install ready-to-use veterinary terminals (hard- and software incl. touch-screen) for a standardised recording of harmonised veterinary findings at slaughterhouses in Southern Germany. Later on, the mapping of veterinary findings will bring profit to more and more parties involved in the pork production chain by installing the veterinary terminals to additional German or even international slaughterhouses.
8.) Please explain the collaboration within the Q-PorkChains project (e.g. which other modules are integrated in the demo chain etc.)
Module IV (Work package 4.2 “Chain quality management systems”) is integrated in this pilot chain.
The industrial actors are supported by the Liaision Office (Module A).
The team of the first demonstration chain consists of the following partners:
Business partner:
Research partner:
Coordination:
GIQS e.V. (Trans Border Integrated Quality Assurance)
