Use of veterinary databases within the EPIZONE Network: the metadata core group

Introduction: The EPIZONE metadata core group (EPIZONE-MD) is a group of scientists which originated under Theme 2 (Strategic Integration) to make a concrete contribution to the regulation and specification of information discovery and access in the veterinary field. In particular, the group intends to define good practices for the veterinary scientific community of the EPIZONE network and beyond on how to best describe, publish, discover and access veterinary datasets. This will improve proper data sharing within the veterinary community, contribute to multidisciplinary applications, and ensure the sustainability of the numerous databases related to research projects while avoiding duplication of information. Nowadays many datasets are indeed available online, but it is often difficult to discover and evaluate the most suitable ones for a specific application. Discovery, evaluation, and use are empowered by providing formal data description (i.e. "data about a data"), the so-called "metadata". Metadata formally provides crucial information, such as data purpose, location, category, content, lineage etc.. The aim of the present paper is to describe the approach introduced by the EPIZONE-MD to define the discovery of metadata. Methodology: The key strategy adopted by the EPIZONE network is to apply the process and guidelines of the INSPIRE Directive (2007/2/EC) to the veterinary community. The INSPIRE Directive establishes an infrastructure for sharing spatial information in Europe enabling interoperability and, where practicable, harmonisation of data sets and services within Europe. To develop a preliminary trial on discovery of metadata, implementation and publication, a pilot project was started. This was also useful to assess the suitability of the INSPIRE guidelines for veterinary data description. Two different tools for resource description (metadata editor) have been evaluated by two EPIZONE-MD members: the European Open Source Metadata Editor (EUOSME) and the INSPIRE Geoportal Metadata Editor. Discussion: Metadata for discovery is the first step for description of a dataset and allows datasets to be found by relevant criteria (i.e. query clauses), to be identified and evaluated. Using the INSPIRE specification for discovery, some lessons were learned; for examples, some extensions must be clearly considered. In fact, the currently available semantic terms and keywords are unsuitable for the veterinary areas. Conclusions: It is acknowledged that there are extensions to be considered before implementing an INSPIRE-based metadata approach for the EPIZONE community. For this reason EPIZONE-MD will promote the development of a white paper on the implementation of good practices for metadata. Another task of EPIZONE-MD is to outline the action plan necessary for full implementation of a metadata catalogue according to open standard specifications. Finally, it is important to take into account that metadata warrants data accountability: for consumers, it is the label required to assess available data, while, for producers, it is the official declaration of data ownership and formally clarifies the "responsibility chain" in data recording and management. This is crucial to ensure transparent re-use of data amongst the veterinary community and to bring data together for public health purposes (i.e. emergencies or surveillance networks, as foreseen byEuropean legislation). It also requires appropriate data policies.