The overall objective of the project of which this contract has been a part was to improve food safety standards of animal origin. The scope of the Consultant’s work was technical assistance and institution building support.

The project aimed to strengthen the formerly started bovine I&R system and to expand the concept to sheep and goats. This included the creation of a computerised holding register of sheep and goat holdings in line with EU standards and the review and harmonisation of legislation and the development for an integrated animal I&R and Veterinary Information System (VIS) including animal disease surveillance for bovine, ovine and caprine species including detailed implementation, staffing and financial plans and obtain approval for this system with the possibility of future expansion to other animal species.

The amended I&R Law and the Rulebook for small ruminants were published. Movement reporting (including slaughter declaration) of local Montenegrin cattle increased considerably (+61%). The farmers cleaned their cattle register for correct subsidy application.

The country-wide small ruminant tagging and the related field operations started in the beginning of April 2011. As per mid June 2011, the database reported that 164,234 small ruminants were tagged.

The project modelled the eradication workflows for four major diseases (Brucellosis of bovine, Brucellosis of small ruminants, Leucosis of bovine and TBC) in close co-operation with the beneficiary using a standardized form (Business Process Modelling Notation/BPMN). Parts of the VIS were tested together with tagging, sample management (blood samples were taken) and the LIMS. The VIS became productive by the beginning of 4 May 2011.