Royal Highland Show 2014: Aberdeen Angus calves to be DNA tested

Pedigree Aberdeen Angus farmers will be required to DNA test every calf from this month, as the society looks to add more integrity to the food chain and protect the brand.

The Aberdeen Angus breed society is the first to introduce compulsory testing of all calves in the UK, with the eventual aim of being able to trace meat to the sire.

Speaking at a briefing at the Royal Highland Show, the society’s chief executive Ron McHattie said there were two key reasons for adopting the DNA profiling.

See also: Eblex to use DNA tests after horsemeat scandal

First, it would help with protecting the integrity of the herd book, as audits already picked up a number of discrepancies, mostly genuine mistakes.

Under the new system, samples will be taken when calves are tagged using Caisley tissue sampling tags.

“It will be cost neutral for the farmer with just the cost of a stamp to send the samples to the lab,” explained Mr McHattie.

The samples will be stored for up to seven years by Identigen, which specialises in DNA tracing and is managing the Aberdeen Angus DNA scheme.

“It means there will be 16,000 additional samples a year going into the system as part of the registration process. We will audit a number of these samples each year being DNA profiled,” he said.

Second, it will add value and protect the integrity of the brand. All Aberdeen Angus certified beef is generic DNA tested to check it was sired by an Aberdeen Angus bull and retailers also have their own DNA verification programmes.

“About two to three years from now, we will be able to track the individual sire of origin of carcasses as they are slaughtered. This is where we are going, said Mr McHattie.

“It will pick up those trying to get into the [Aberdeen Angus] system with product that is not genuine.”

Anything that improves the integrity of the supply chain has to be good. “It’s raising the bar of pedigree validation. It is just taking it to a different level,” said Mr McHattie.

• Also launched at the event was the breed society’s new branding.

Read more news from the Royal Highland Show 2014