Veterinaria Italiana, 45 (4), 577‐586 © IZS A&M 2009 www.izs.it/vet_italiana Vol. 45 (4), Vet Ital 577 Animal welfare monitoring and livestock traceability during transport Adriano Di Pasquale (1) , Enzo Isocrono (1) , Luigi Possenti (1) , Cesare Di Francesco (1) , Walter Di Donato (1) , Gianluca Fiore (2) , Johann Hofherr (2) , Fabrizio Natale (2) & Fausto Bonavitacola (2) Summary The authors present an experimental project that aims to establish an effective navigation system in accordance with European Council Regulation 1/2005 concerning animal welfare during transport. The prototype created during the project consists of both hardware and software components. An onboard unit is installed at truck level. It collects and transmits real‐time information of the animal transport to a remote receiver database. A Web/geographic information system (GIS) application is used to analyse and monitor the information received. The architecture of the hardware and software of the project is presented, focusing on the features of the Web‐GIS application. Keywords Animal, Geographic information system, GIS, Information, Italy, Transport, Web, Welfare, Web services. Introduction In recent years, the scientific community has developed a new approach to animal welfare that is based on the principle that animals are recognised as ‘sentient beings’ (and therefore they deserve the best possible treatment). However, they are also the first link in the food chain and, therefore, animal welfare must be guaranteed, especially on account of its impact on consumers. This new approach has resulted in moving from a position which was mainly aimed at establishing solid requirements to prevent unnecessary pain to the animals (on the farm, at the abattoir and during trans‐ portation) as part of an integrated animal welfare/food safety approach. In addition, the traceability of animals in intra‐European Union trade is an essential element in the prevention of the spread of animal diseases and an important issue in securing consumer confidence. In this context, many forms of technical collaboration in the field of the animal welfare and livestock traceability on long journeys have been launched between the European Union Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale’ (IZS A&M). In particular, one of the projects is aimed at establishing an effective navigation system in accordance with Regulation (EC) 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport, in order to ensure that animal welfare and livestock traceability requirements are fulfilled during the journey (3). By recording and transmitting a number of predefined data in real time, the system can ensure compliance with legal requirements for animal welfare and livestock traceability. It should not only contribute to a substantial decrease of the administrative burden for stakeholders and competent authorities but should also assist in (1) Istituto Zo o p ro fila ttic o Sp e rim e nta le d e ll’ Ab ruzzo e d e l Mo lise ‘ G . C a p o ra le ’ , Via C a m p o Bo a rio , 64100 Te ra m o , Ita ly a .d ip a sq ua le @ izs.it@ izs.it (2) Euro p e a n Unio n C o m m issio n, Jo int Re se a rc h C e ntre , Institute fo r the Pro te c tio n a nd Se c urity o f the C itize n, G 07, Mo nito ring , C o ntro l a nd Tra c e a b ility in the Fo o d C ha in, via Enric o Fe rm i 2749, 21027 Isp ra , Va re se , Ita ly