Title: RFID in the international cattle supply chain: context, consumer privacy and legislation

Authors: Priscilla Cristina Cabral Ribeiro, Annibal Jose Scavarda, Mario Otavio Batalha

Addresses: Rua paulino Botelho de Abreu Sampaio, 1057, Apto. 11-A. Vila Pureza, Sao Carlos – Sao Paulo, CEP 13561-060, Brazil. ' School of Business and Management, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, P.O. Box 26666, UAE; Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University, 660 TNRB, Provo, Utah 84602-3131, USA. ' Production Engineering Department, Sao Carlos Federal University, Rod. Washington Luis, Km 235, Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo 13565-905, Brazil

Abstract: This paper aims to describe the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in live cattle supply chain in Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan and the USA. This paper also discusses three themes about RFID in the international cattle chain: the context of RFID|s use, the legislation and consumer privacy. This last theme represents a huge problem to countries that use RFID. They have to create laws to support their discussions about RFID when they evaluate the cost/benefit relation. Global markets require traceability to control the quality of products. The food safety is considered, too. Some operations could be more controlled by RFID, such as processing. This research uses a qualitative method based on documents, scientific papers and secondary data from these countries.

Keywords: radio frequency identification; RFID; cattle supply chains; international supply chains; operations; context; legislation; consumer privacy; supply chain management; SCM; Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan; United States; USA; global markets; traceability; product quality; food safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2010.030633

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2010 Vol.6 No.2, pp.149 - 164

Published online: 27 Dec 2009 *

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