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Integrative Information Management across different Surveillance Areas: The Power of Classification Systems and a Need for Institutional Change

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  7th World Congress on Computers in Agriculture Conference Proceedings, 22-24 June 2009, Reno, Nevada (electronic only)  711P0409e.(doi:10.13031/2013.29051)
Authors:   Johannes H Otto, Dr. Matthias Frost, Professor Dr. Reiner Doluschitz
Keywords:   Information Management, Classification Systems, Surveillance, Institution.

Local surveillance authorities are commissioned with the control of feed and food products as well as the surveillance of livestock for epizootics. In each of these three areas classification systems are used for information management for the controlled items in order to generate valid data. Standardized data predominate within certain surveillance areas but do not provide means for data interchange due to different classification systems. Bearing in mind that streamlined data management is possible in closed supply chains, it is postulated that current obstacles can be tackled by surveillance authorities through a harmonization of different classification systems. It is the aim of this contribution to show, that harmonization of different surveillance areas leads to a more comprehensive knowledge of the whole agro-food chain. Additionally, institutional changes are recommended that comprise primarily the areas of coordination and cooperation. A SWOT-analysis of the information and classification systems of three surveillance areas is conducted. By means of an overarching classification system a semantic harmonization of these is presented. Secondly, an analysis is undertaken of the institutional framework, in which surveillance authorities act in Germany. The results offer an extended understanding of the functions of different public surveillance areas. Their information management is analyzed and compared. To illustrate the issues, one classification system for animals used in these surveillance areas is introduced and obstacles are identified. A system for harmonization using faceted classification is presented. For acceptance of this harmonized system of information management, results of the institutional analysis offer the need for change.

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