Brasília, 10/3/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazilian cattle farmers have called for a tracking system that would monitor herds of cattle, but the European Union demands an individual tracking system. So, Amauri Dimarzio, the executive secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, says an individual tracking system will be used. "Otherwise we would lose the EU market," he says.

The individual tracking system consists of a satellite connection that monitors a computer chip in each cow and feeds a data base. The information permits the sanitary status, with regard to diseases such as foot and mouth disease and others, of herds to be registered. According to Dimarzio, a meeting has been scheduled this month to discuss the system and its technical requirements with farmers. (AB)