Traceability systems are mostly installed by the private sector for economic incentives and can have different purposes, such as to improve supply management; to increase safety and quality control, and as part of a marketing strategy claiming specific credence attributes.
LEI Wageningen UR carried out a study on request of the Thai Department of Agriculture, to assess the feasibility and desirability of a traceability system for small holder agricultural products within the governmental certification system, promoting food safety from farm to national retail. Certification systems for promoting food safety through Good Agricultural Practices, managed by the export sector and by the DOA, were analysed as a traceability system would be incorporated into it.
Traceability systems have already been developed by the private sector, considering it necessary as a licence to trade. The non-mandatory character of traceability within the governmental GAP certification system and the complexity of setting up a centralized paper trail related to physical flow of all goods produced within the GAP and Q-mark certification system by the government, makes the establishment of a traceability system inconvenient when related to the main governmental role of guaranteeing public health.
Note 09-007 Traceability: a matter for private sector or governement?