Independent international non-governmental organisation

Accountable to its members

Relevant to “developed” and “developing” countries

Relevant to all organisations involved in animal identification

Relevant to all organisations involved in ruminant production

Relevant to all organisations involved in genetic evaluations of ruminants

Relevant to all organisations involved in the collection and processing of ruminant phenotypic data

Relevant to manufacturers and providers of identification, production recording and genetic investigative devices

Elected Board

International recognition by national and international organisations

Networking opportunities with world experts and peers

Readily available technical information

Subcommittees and Working Groups made up of international experts

Ease of availability of information via the website

Electronic forums provided

International recognition of work and standards

Published Guidelines which are internationally recognised

Membership is global

Patenting Sentinel and Action Services

Certificate of Quality

Benchmarking

Annual meetings

Workshops

Value for money

Scientific and technical rigour inherent in all undertakings

Brings together international organisations to a common forum

Provision of practical standards which are science derived

Newsletters

On-line database on production recording for cattle, sheep and goats

Choice of membership: Full & Associated

Gives a voice to organisations and countries in an agreeable forum

Published Statutes

The ICAR International Recording Guidelines

Scientific and Technical publications

Proceedings of annual conferences and workshops

Flexibility in arranging specific tasks

Can address other species than ruminants if the members so decide

Cooperation in international research

Established contacts and co-operation with international organisations

Well recognised with the EU and other national and regional governments

Registration authority for RFID

Interbull is the EU reference laboratory for bovine genetic matters

Provision of manufacturers’ codes internationally

Laboratory and Test Centre accreditation for milk analysis, DNA and animal identification

Willingness of preeminent technicians to join in subcommittees, working groups and task forces