By KEVIN WALKER
Michigan Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the federal government pushing the national animal identification system, and now produce traceability, some are asking what’s next – tracking people?

When an animal in a very small herd has a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to it, it’s much like a tracking a person, said Lily Coney, associate director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a public interest research group in Washington, D.C.

Coney said companies are into tracking technologies because they will increase their profitability, especially when it comes to inventory. But, these always end up being used for reasons other than what their promoters say – everything from marketing to screening for potential customers, she said.

“The privacy community is trying to get some rules in place to protect people,” she said. “The notion is that we’re living in a completely networked world. That’s one of the economic models that’s being pushed. How much information, who gets the information?”

Coney said those are the kinds of questions that need to be asked. She said those who market traceability technologies are counting on people to not know what’s going on.

Dan Vache, vice president of supply chain management with United Fresh, said the only reason RFID tags aren’t being used right now to trace produce and many other small items is the expense. He said Walmart does use RFID tags on its more expensive items, such as television sets.

But, he said privacy isn’t a problem. “The only thing they’re tracking that for is inventory,” Vache explained.

He also described RF technology as the “next step” in produce traceability.