A recent foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Germany has once again highlighted the vulnerabilities in animal-based supply chains.
With the UK responding by banning German imports like pork, beef, lamb, and dairy products, businesses involved in the supply of animal products need to take action and be prepared to respond quickly when an outbreak threatens their operations.
But how can businesses stay ahead of outbreaks and make swift decisions that protect both their supply chain and their customers?
At Authenticate, we’re helping businesses do just that by leveraging advanced supply chain mapping technology to identify and manage risks associated with animal disease outbreaks like FMD, bird flu, and swine fever.
How supply chain mapping can detect risks in real-time
One of the standout features of Authenticate’s solution is our location report tool, which allows businesses to track their direct and indirect suppliers based on geographic proximity to disease outbreaks.
For example, by running a location report with a radius of 150 miles from Germany, businesses can instantly access a list of all suppliers within the outbreak zone.
This is an invaluable tool for companies that need to assess their supply chain vulnerabilities and act fast to limit exposure to the outbreak.
Turning supplier insights into action
Once the location report has identified any at-risk suppliers, businesses can make actionable decisions right away.
In this scenario, the obvious next step might be to pause shipments from the affected suppliers until the situation is under control. With the location report, businesses can easily get a hold of the insights they need to take quick, informed actions to protect their supply chain.
It’s not just about spotting the problem – it’s about giving businesses the tools and supplier assurance they need to respond rapidly, ensuring that potential disruptions can be minimised before they escalate. This level of responsiveness is crucial in today’s fast-moving world of international trade and disease outbreaks which could spring up at any time.
Mitigating future risks with custom audits and assessments
As well as real-time location reports, Authenticate offers another critical solution: audits and assessments.
These tools give businesses the freedom to proactively gather data from their suppliers on potential risks related to animal health and disease outbreaks. With the ability to create custom assessments and surveys, companies can assess the risks posed by suppliers and adjust their supply chain strategy accordingly.
For example, a custom assessment can be sent to both direct and indirect suppliers to gather critical information about their location, health protocols, and risk mitigation measures.
This gives businesses a leg up in staying ahead of potential outbreaks by identifying any weak points in their supply chain and addressing them before an issue even arises.
Future-proofing the animal supply chain
In 2001, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK cost the public sector £3 billion, the private sector £5 billion, and lead to the slaughter of more than 6 million animals.
As the risk of animal diseases like foot and mouth continues to grow, businesses need to take proactive measures to ensure their supply chains stay resilient in the face of potential adversity.
Supply chain mapping and audits and assessments give businesses the insights and tools they need to manage and mitigate any risks effectively.
By leveraging technology, companies can stay ahead of disease outbreaks and continue to provide safe, reliable products to their customers. In a world where supply chain disruptions can happen at any moment, it’s crucial to be prepared.
With our Authenticate solutions, businesses can make data-driven decisions that help them navigate the complexities of modern supply chains, ensuring allowing them to stay one step ahead of any potential outbreaks.
Protect your supply chain with Authenticate
Don’t wait for the next outbreak – take control of your supply chain risks with Authenticate’s supply chain mapping and audit & assessment solutions.
Safeguard your operations against future outbreaks before they happen and contact us to request a demo today.