GUELPH, ONTARIO – The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of up to C$113,575 in Be Seen Be Safe Ltd., an animal health technology provider operating as Farm Health Guardian.

The investment is intended to drive discovery of a technology system to help livestock producers in the event of an animal disease outbreak. By using data to monitor the movement of livestock trailers, the government said, producers can rapidly contain an outbreak, limit losses and reduce the time it takes to return to normal business.

“Livestock and poultry disease outbreaks cost millions of dollars. Pathogens move on both people and vehicles, so the value of a robust vehicle track and trace system in managing outbreaks cannot be underestimated,” said Tim Nelson, founder and president of Be Seen Be Safe Ltd. “Asset tracking devices are designed to provide real-time data on vehicle movements and this AAFC funded project is testing the efficacy of asset tracking devices in preventing disease spread and reducing costs.”

Be Seen Be Safe is using the funds to research, test and develop a hardware solution that will allow real-time tracking and tracing of livestock trailers. After trials of potential systems are complete, the company will publish and widely distribute recommendations on the best-fit technology along with information on deployment. The research will build on Be Seen Be Safe’s existing farm health technology platform.

“Agricultural producers care about the health of their animals,” Bibeau said. “This investment in Be Seen Be Safe Ltd. supports the development of a data analysis tool that will help contain potential outbreaks to stop the spread of disease. This type of innovation means producers can better protect their animals and their business and continue delivering high-quality food to Canadians and consumers around the world.”