Organization International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) was founded in 1951. During the past half century, ICAR has evolved into a global organization with a reputation for establishing standards and guidelines for animal recording, identification and genetic evaluations.
ICAR’s mission is to provide benefits to its member organisations through actions that they cannot do efficiently themselves:
- providing information and services which help member organisations to develop, operate and manage their business;
- providing information and services which promote benefits of recording and evaluation, thereby increasing the demand for the services provided by ICAR member organisations;
- providing guidelines and standards which facilitate the provision of services and the exchange of information by member organisations both nationally and internationally;
- providing a body through which member organisations can work together to achieve shared objectives.
ICAR membership has expanded from its European roots to include members from 47 different countries across six continents. ICAR standards are referenced in practice and legislation around the world and form the basis of all major animal recording and evaluation programs in developed countries.
The number of Sub-Committees, Working Groups and Task Forces (SC-WG-TF’s) has expanded to 19 and this growth should be reviewed to ensure that the TF-WG-SC operating model remains the best method of accomplishing the goals established by the organization.
In addition to the existing operational challenges there exists service opportunities for ICAR to provide its member with additional value in the future. Examples of such value-added activities may include the coordination of research with international applications (eg. Single milking projection factors), the support of a web based animal recording information network and manager information/development sessions. These activities could support existing services such as Patent Sentinal Action Service (PSAS) and Benchmarking services.
ICAR continues to build on its strength of neutrality and integrity as related to standards and guidelines for animal recording, evaluations and equipment approvals. This will include further strategic alliances with international organizations including EAAP, FAO, IDF, OIE, ILRI, WAAP and ISO.
The Future Vision of ICAR
As the animal recording and evaluation industry evolves, so will ICAR membership. The recently revised by-laws provide the opportunity for expanded membership and a broader level of participation. Membership is expanding from a primarily dairy organization base to include more individual agencies from member countries. Various industry sectors (by species as well as activity) will participate in ICAR as members in order to participate and access the global network, expertise and exposure that ICAR provides.
In addition to the stated organizational objectives, ICAR remains committed to fiscal responsibility, building partnerships with related international organizations and raising the awareness and profile of ICAR within the animal production industry.
Long-Term Objectives
To best meet the needs of our members, over the next half decade we will:
- Grow membership to 100 by 2012
- Grow the number of countries represented by members to 60 countries by 2012
- Grow the number of active Certificate of Quality assessments to 30 organizations by 2012
- Introduce routine InterBeef evaluation services by 2011
More information about ICAR organization you can get: http://www.icar.org
