This International Standard specifies a protocol for the automatic and interactive communication and control of computer systems used in livestock production. It supports communication within the livestock production as well as across the Internet. While it defines the basic protocol for data exchange, it uses generic data structures so that the protocol is extendable regarding future requirements. The protocol is applicable only to simple and/or clearly defined entities. This International Standard deals with the networking of those services used for livestock production which are provided by the devices in systems. It is not applicable to communication within subsystems. The syntax of the transported data is based on the ADIS and ADED standards as defined in ISO 11787 and ISO 11788; alternatively, XML/ADED can be used as described in this International Standard. Like the ADIS standard specified in ISO 11787, it is implicit that the syntax is not intended for real-time data interchange.