David C. Warren, President and CEO of eMerge Interactive commented, "We are pleased that CattleLog has again been approved as a USDA Process Verified Program for Animal Data Collection and Reporting. As the livestock industry becomes more reliant on individual-animal management products and services, it is imperative that we maintain our longstanding focus on the customer's needs. The USDA Process Verified Program approval only confirms our focus on the customer and our ability to provide high-quality data services through all CattleLog products." eMerge is the only data service provider whose information management product is approved as a USDA Process Verified Program. CattleLog first received approval in December 2003. The most recent USDA audit was conducted in June 2004, whereby CattleLog successfully met the program requirements and was subsequently recommended for a twelve-month approval, the maximum approval period.

The USDA Process Verified Program designation is designed to provide livestock and meat producers an opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent, quality products by having their written manufacturing processes confirmed through independent, third-party audits. The USDA Process Verified Program uses the International Organization for Standardization's ISO 9000 series standards for documented quality management systems as a format for evaluating documentation. To qualify, companies must submit documented quality management systems and successfully pass extensive onsite audits and customer interviews.

Mr. Warren further explained the significance of the Process Verified Program designation: "Animal information management services, like those provided by CattleLog, are inherently complex. CattleLog is a core component of our Animal Information Solutions business unit, so obtaining third-party verification of the quality of this complex process is a natural step to ensure customer confidence in the information services we provide. Our customers are finding that intangible product features -- customer training, data availability, accuracy, security, and customer service -- are the keys to a successful information program and they rely on the USDA Process Verified Program to help verify hundreds of quality control components integrated into the CattleLog suite of products and services."

eMerge's CattleLog system provides individual-animal data-collection and reporting tools to cattle producers, meat packers, and retailers and is capable of tracking the nation's cattle supply, which may prove helpful in providing source and custody information for animal health emergencies, including foot-and-mouth disease and BSE. Information customers from all segments of the livestock production business in all parts of the U.S. already use CattleLog to track and manage their livestock inventories, source-verify their production, and assure their customers that their livestock meet government and market specifications.

Source: PR Newswire - 30th July 2004