Specimen Reception update

Tim Pasma

Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON         

Laboratory Submissions and Premises Identification

Premises identification (PID) is an important component of traceability.  Along with animal identification and movement reporting, PIDs facilitate the traceability of animal and food products throughout the agri-food system.  The Provincial Premises Registry Program, which runs the premises identification database in Ontario, began in July of 2011.  The program is voluntary, but may be required in situations such as participating in a supply managed commodity or for OAHN projects.

PID is also a critical tool for emergency preparedness by helping personnel responding to a natural disaster or animal disease outbreak.  PIDs assist with surveillance of disease as it facilitates the tracking of disease across Ontario, as done by OMAFRA for monitoring of swine influenza at the county level.  It is also used in disease control programs such as the Swine Health Area Regional Control (SHARC) program.

The AHL strongly encourages including PIDs on all submissions.  Over 80% of submissions from the swine sector contain PIDs, through the work of swine veterinarians and AHL to increase the number of swine submissions including PIDs.  We encourage others to get involved in improved emergency management and disease surveillance by obtaining and using PIDs.  Please contact the AHL if you wish to discuss PIDs and electronic submissions to the lab.