Wireless identity tracing system for tracing animals and food products

A method of gathering data on animals and/or animal products, said method comprising;

• receiving at the device one or more signals, each representing a second identifier from other devices;
• storing in memory a received second identifier;
• and
• transmitting a signal from said device including a first identifier associated with said device;
• wherein the default operating condition of said device is for said device to be in a condition to receive signals and, on receipt of a wakeup call, said device is placed into a condition to transmit signals.

An animal electronic data collecting device comprising:

• a radio transmitter;
• a radio receiver;
• memory for storing information including a unique first identifier associated with said device;
• a processor operatively connected to said radio transmitter to cause the transmission of radio signals therefrom, said processor also being operatively connected to said radio receiver to obtain radio signals from any other device which are received by said radio receiver, said radio signals received from each said other device representing a unique second identifier from each said other device, said processor being operatively connected to said memory to store in said memory each unique second identifier received from said at least one other device;
• wherein said processor will, upon the occurrence of a wakeup signal, cause said radio transmitter to transmit radio signals from said device representing said unique first identifier from said device.