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The Growing Forward 2, Traceability Adoption Program (TAP) offers incentive funding to increase new implementations and updates of facility-based traceability systems across the agri-food chain in primary and secondary agri-food and seafood production sectors.

The Traceability Adoption Program is delivered by the B.C. Agriculture Research & Development Corporation (ARDCorp). Funding for the TAP program is provided by Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

TAP offers cost-shared funding to help farmers, food processors and agri-food businesses with specific costs relating to the purchase and installation of traceability infrastructure, software, and the training of staff to improve agri-food traceability within British Columbia.

Traceability Self-Assessment Questionnaire Use the following traceability self-assessment questionnaire to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your current traceability system. While most questions are applicable to all agri-food and seafood businesses, some questions are specific to certain types of operations. If you believe a question does not apply to your particular business, select “N/A”. You have the option of completing this PDF form on screen then printing it, or printing it first and then completing the form by hand. The PDF cannot be saved or submitted online. If you are applying for cost-shared traceability funding, attach your completed self-assessment questionnaire to your TAP funding application prior to submission.

Questions?

If you require assistance to complete this traceability self-assessment questionnaire and/or if you have questions about agri-food traceability, please contact ARDCorp at (604) 854 4483.

Growing Forward 2 Traceability Adoption Program

Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Traceability Self-Assesment Questionnaire

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What is Traceability?

Traceability is the ability to follow an item or a group of items - be it animal, plant, food product oringredient - from one point in the supply chain to another. This trail can be followed in either direction;backwards or forwards.

Traceability is a key component of food safety.

Traceability can significantly reduce the economic, social and environmental impacts of a food safety issuesuch as product recall, or emergencies like a contagious disease outbreak.

Speed and accuracy are key components of traceability.

Is Traceability Mandatory?

Traceability systems are required to help protect the health of animals and the general public. Eachoperation within the agri-food supply chain must be able to trace products one step back and one stepforward.

Traceability is a requirement of most food safety certifications (i.e. GFSI).

Traceability is a requirement of most identity preserved certifications (i.e. Certified Organic, Gluten Free)

Traceability is legislated within Canada. To view requirements specific to your sector click here.

In the case of a product recall, the business that has produced, distributed, or imported the unsafe foodhas the primary responsibility for implementing the food recall. 2013 Fall Report of the Auditor General of Canada.

What Are The Benefits?

Retain current customers and access new markets. Avoid being shut out of lucrative new markets orlosing your existing customers to businesses that can demonstrate the value of their traceability system.

Preparedness in the case of a food emergency or product recall. Having the processes and data in placeto act quickly and decisively in the event of a product recall can protect your brand reputation and limitthe size (and cost) of recall.

Avoid financial devastation & reduce legal liability. Recent outbreaks of food illness show financialdevastation to businesses and whole sectors when their reputation for providing safe food is put intoquestion without effective traceability.

Improve efficiency & reduce spoilage. Traceability systems can improve the efficiency of your operationwith real time production and inventory data, and can also reduce spoilage with raw product use androtation data.

Gain a competitive advantage over suppliers not meeting traceability criteria. Capitalize on new farm tofork marketing opportunities.

Peace of mind. Traceability regulations are changing in Canada. Click here to view requirements specificto your sector.

Traceability Self-Assesment Questionnaire

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1. About your business Yes No* NotSure* N/A*

Does your business engage in one or more of the following actions:growing, raising, catching, packing, processing, and/or distributing foodproducts?

*If you answered “No”, “Not Sure”, or “N/A” to question 1, this Self-Assessment Questionnaire may notsuitable for you at this time. Please contact ARDCorp at 1-866-522-3447 or visit www. ardcorp.ca for moreinformation.

2. Why do you want to improve traceability in your operation? Yes No NotSure N/A

To comply with government regulations.

To comply with customer requirements.

To manage legal liability risk.

To gain competitive advantage.

To prepare for product recall.

Other:

Please complete the following questionnaire to identify your operation’s current traceability related strengthsand weaknesses. If you have any questions about your self-assessment, please call ARDCorp toll free 1-866-522-3447.

Please describe the products that your business handles or sells:

Traceability Self-Assesment Questionnaire

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3. Current Traceability System Yes No NotSure N/A

Do you have a traceability system already in place?

If you answered “Yes”, please skip the remainder of section 3 and continue on from section 4.

If you answered “No” or “Not Sure”, please complete the rest of section 3 and proceed to section 8.

I have not implemented traceability measures because:

My business is too small to need traceability.

I do not have the knowledge or expertise to implement traceability.

I do not have the financial resources to implement traceability.

I have not had the time to implement traceability.

Other:

4. Current Traceability System - Type Yes No NotSure N/A

Is your current system based completely on paper files?

Is your current system based completely on computer files?

Is your current system a combination of computer and paper files?

Does your current system use real time data collection?

Does your current system use post-production data entry?

Does your current system use a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) andlot code barcode labeling on finished product?

Does your current system apply labeling to raw/input products while instorage or staging area?

Other:

Traceability Self-Assesment Questionnaire

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5. Current Traceability System – Effectiveness

a. Grower Yes No NotSure N/A

Can you trace back all the inputs and source data (i.e. supplier, seed,root stock, pesticide, fertilizer, field, plant date, harvest date, quantityetc.) using the harvest Lot # as your tracing reference?

Can you trace forward to recipients of all harvested product (i.e.harvest date, quantity, employee list, equipment, pallet/bin, ship date,ship destination, pallet/bin #’s) using harvest Lot # as your tracingreference?

Can you trace forward to recipients of all product handled by a specificemployee using employee ID and date as your tracing reference?

b. Packer/Processor Yes No NotSure N/A

Can you trace back all inputs and source data (i.e. field, supplier, Lot #,receiving date, and quantity etc.) using a finished product Lot # as yourtracing reference?

Can you trace forward to recipients of all finished product (i.e. Lot #,pallet tags, ship date, quantity, recipient etc.) using a finished productLot # as your tracing reference?

Can you trace forward to recipients of all your product handled by aspecific employee using employee ID and date as your tracingreference?

Can you trace back to original sources and forward to your finalrecipients when finished product is from rework, pre-mixes, or interimproducts?

Can you trace all lots or batches that were produced/packed using aspecific equipment and/or during a specific date range?

Can you trace forward to other lots and their recipients when allergensare used in the plant?

c. Animal industry Yes No NotSure N/A

Can you trace the complete history/movement of any animal or agroup of animals back from a finished product lot number?

Can you trace the quantity, lot#, and recipients of all animals orproducts derived from an animal or group of animals using an animalor group of animals as a reference?

Traceability Self-Assesment Questionnaire

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Do you have a BC Premises ID number? For more information clickhere.

6. Current Traceability System – Verification Yes No NotSure N/A

Do you test your traceability system with mock recalls?

Do your mock recalls include other members of the supply chain?

Are your mock recalls successful?

Does your operation pass independent third party review/audit ofyour traceability system on at least an annual basis?

Does your operation have a formalized process to periodically reviewtraceability procedures and policies?

Does your staff and/or management review traceability datadaily/weekly?

7. Current Traceability System – Review

a. Grower: Harvest of Food ProductsNote: Essential data is Field, Date, Quantity, Employees, Machinery,and Lot# etc.

Yes No NotSure N/A

Do you record all the essential data for all harvested food products?

Are all harvested pallets/bins labeled with a unique identification?

Do you record all the essential data for all supplies and materials youuse during harvest?

Do you record the staging/storage location of each harvestedpallet/bin?

Do you record the shipment details of all pallets/bins you ship to thepacker/processor?

Are you able to retrieve all the essential harvest data, including usageand inventory, for any harvested Lot# within four hours?

Are you able to retrieve all the essential growing data, including seedlot, pesticide/fertilizer used etc., for any harvested Lot# within fourhours?

Traceability Self-Assesment Questionnaire

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Continued: 7. Current Traceability System – Review

b. Packer / Processor: Incoming Food Products and SuppliesNote: Essential data is Supplier, Date, Quantity, Employees, Machinery,and Lot# etc.

Yes No NotSure N/A

Do you record all the essential data for all incoming food products?

Are all received food pallets/bins labeled with unique identification?

Do you record all the essential data for all supplies/materials youreceive?

Do you track in detail the usage of all food products you receive?

Do you track in detail the usage of all supplies/materials you receive?

Are you able to retrieve all the essential data, including usage andinventory, for all the received food products or supplies/materialswithin four hours?

c. Packer / Processor: Packing / Transformation of FoodProducts

Note: Essential data is Supplier, Date, Quantity, Employees, Machinery,and Lot# etc.

Yes No NotSure N/A

Do you have GTIN’s for all the products you sell?

Do you create a unique lot or batch code for each day’s production?

Do you record the essential data for all the input food products youconsume for each production batch or lot?

Do you record the essential data for all the supplies you consume foreach production batch or lot?

Do you record all the additional details for each production batch orlot (i.e. equipment used, start and stop time for the production run,employee list)?

Traceability Self-Assesment Questionnaire

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Continued: 7. Current Traceability System – Review

c. Packer/Processor : Packing/Transformation of Food ProductsNote: Essential data is Supplier, Date, Quantity, Employees, Machinery,and Lot# etc.

Yes No NotSure N/A

Do you apply a scannable barcode label containing GTIN and Lot codeto each carton?

Do you apply a unique scannable barcode label to each pallet at timeof production?

Does each pallet tag include all essential information (Product Name,GTIN, Lot Code, Quantity, etc.)?

At the end of each production run, do you reconcile the input Kg withoutput Kg?

At the end of each production run, do you reconcile the outputquantity with inventory quantity in staging/storage?

Do you record weight/quantity of all seconds/culls produced for eachproduction run?

d. Packer/Processor: Sale/Distribution of Food ProductsNote: Essential data is customer, SO#, PO#, Date, Quantity, Employees,Truck ID, and Lot# etc.

Yes No NotSure N/A

Is essential information recorded at the time of shipping?

Is each pallet scanned/recorded at the time of loading?

Do you create a bill of lading for each shipment?

Does the bill of lading list the pallet tag number of each pallet includedin the shipment?

Do you mix Lot# and/or products on the same pallet?

Do you use hybrid pallet tags where Lot# and/or products are mixedon same pallet?

Do you receive and record confirmation from end destination whenyour shipped product has been received?

Traceability Self-Assesment Questionnaire

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8. Traceability Self-Assessment Summary

Congratulations! Thank-you for completing the first step at improved traceability for your operation.

If you have any questions or concerns about your completed Traceability Self-Assessment Questionnaire,please contact ARDCorp at 1-866-522-3447.

If you are applying to the Traceability Adoption Program (TAP), please attach this questionnaire to yourapplication and submit to ARDCorp via fax 604-854-4485, or email application@ardcorp.ca.

It is important for all businesses that grow, pack, produce, or distribute food products to maintain a fullyfunctioning and effective traceability system.

If you checked off any red boxes in this questionnaire, your traceability system may need urgentdetailed review and upgrade.

If you checked off any yellow boxes in this review, your traceability system should be reviewed forcompliance gaps and opportunities for improvement.

BC ARDCorp Contact Information:Mail:

#230 – 32160 South Fraser WayAbbotsford, BC, V2T 1W5

Phone: 1-866-522-3447 Fax: 604-854-4485 Email: application@ardcorp.ca

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