The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Food Consumers' Awareness of Antimicrobial Resistance, OneHealth, and Animal Welfare Information on Food Labels

Covid-19 is a OneHealth crisis with far-reaching and unexpected impacts on many aspects of society. Previous OneHealth issues, such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), have not received a similar level of attention or action from the public despite representing significant public health and economic threats to society. The current study aimed to explore whether the Covid-19 pandemic may act as a catalyst to increase public awareness related to OneHealth issues, in particular, AMR. This short paper presents overview findings from a survey carried out in September 2020 with a representative sample of food consumers on the island of Ireland (n = 972). The survey revealed Covid-19 had increased awareness of AMR amongst 47% of respondents; increased awareness of connected animal and human health amongst 43% of respondents; and increased awareness of animal welfare information on food labels amongst 34% of respondents. A cluster analysis revealed five distinct consumer segments impacted differently by Covid-19. These segments differed in their levels of objective and subjective knowledge of antibiotic use practises in farming, AMR risk perception, and attributions of responsibility for action on AMR. Findings are discussed with respect to future efforts by the agri-food sector to communicate with the public about AMR and responsible antibiotic use in farming, with particular emphasis on the implications for strategies that incorporate front-of-pack labelling

Look Who’s Talking: Eliciting the Voices of Children from Birth to Seven

First paragraph: Look who’s talking: Eliciting the voices of children from birth to seven was an international seminar series funded by the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, that brought together researchers and practitioners who work with young children (birth to seven) to give and support ‘voice’ in respect to different aspects of their lived experience; in other words, to elicit voice. The intention was to create a space for individuals working in this relatively underdeveloped field to work in a collaborative process, engaging with associated theory and practice. The aims of the seminars were: to move debate forwards; to develop guidelines and provocations for practice; and to advance understandings of the affordances and constraints on the implementation of Article 12 of the UNCRC with young children. The series comprises two seminars, one in January and one in June 2017, each of three and a half days duration. The first focused predominantly on mapping the field, sharing and discussing experiences and practices and exploring the affordances and constraints of eliciting the voices of those aged seven and under. It is this seminar on which this submission focuses. The second, held in June 2017, aimed to synthesise participants’ thinking and identify the needs and opportunities for development within the field

A mixed-method survey to understand the role of dog welfare organisations in Ireland, including reported challenges and potential solutions

Background: This novel study forms part of a larger research programme seeking an improved understanding of aspects of the owned dog population in Ireland. Dog welfare organisations (DWOs) in Ireland are recognised as an instrumental pillar of the animal welfare sector with some receiving substantial public funding. We conducted a survey of DWOs in Ireland (n = 39) to gain a better understanding of their role and function, including their policies and procedures and the rehoming of dogs to other regions. In addition, we wanted to get a better understanding of the challenges experienced by DWOs in fulfilling their role and their perspectives on potential solutions to these challenges. The survey questions consisted of closed and open-ended items. Closed items were analysed quantitively; open-ended items were analysed thematically. Results: Most DWOs (> 80%) had written protocols for important welfare actions including rehoming procedures, assessment of owner suitability and euthanasia. DWOs sent dogs to Northern Ireland (13%), Great Britain (38.5%) and to other countries outside the United Kingdom (36%, including Germany, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands and Czechia). Reported challenges included a general lack of funding, limited public awareness of the importance of dog welfare and insufficient capacity to handle dog numbers. To address these challenges, the DWOs highlighted the potential contribution of subsidised programmes and access to resources to educate potential owners. In a further qualitative evaluation to capture perceptions of appropriate solutions by DWOs, several themes emerged, relating to legislation, education, an overwhelmed workforce, and funding. Conclusions: This study provides important insights into the roles and functions of DWOs and challenges they experience in Ireland. It is hoped that the findings from this research will inform future research investigating potential solutions to these challenges as well as the development of policy in Ireland.Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marin

A Qualitative Exploration of Challenges and Opportunities for Dog Welfare in Ireland Post COVID-19, as Perceived by Dog Welfare Organisations

This novel qualitative study identifies challenges and opportunities to improve dog welfare in Ireland, as perceived by dog welfare organisations (DWOs), a previously underutilised stakeholder. This study sought the views of this predominantly voluntary sector of the next steps for policy and action in dog welfare, in light of the effects of the “puppy pandemic”, increased costs and COVID-19 restrictions. An integrated online focus group and interview design involving DWOs was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Thematic analysis identified 2 key themes: (1) Key challenges and solutions in general dog welfare and (2) Challenges and opportunities in the welfare organisation sector. DWOs perceived poor public awareness of appropriate dog-husbandry, inadequate legislation enforcement, negative impact of puppy farms, and increased financial and volunteer burden. DWOs helped construct a best practice rehoming pathway, identified how overall standards could be improved and recommendations to enhance dog welfare. The DWOs perceived an increased numbers of households acquiring dogs, difficulties in rehoming, and financial challenges as threatening their viability as organisations and Irish dog welfare. Greater enforcement of legislation, greater communication between organisations and the government, and more media awareness were seen as helpful by the DWOs to improve dog welfare standards and their organisations.Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marin

Linking Northern Ireland milk quality to farming landscape:elemental nutrient & microbial signatures

Cow milk is a primary source of trace elements iodine and selenium. Deficiency of iodine and selenium in the diet can result in various endemic diseases. Furthermore, literature has stressed that dietary intakes of selenium and iodine are insufficient in Ireland and the UK. In addition, it is established that pathogenic and spoilage bacteria are present in milk. However, milk also contains beneficial bacteria including probiotic bacteria important for the development of dairy products.The aims of this project were to characterise Northern Ireland milk by using combined element and microbial analysis, and to link these to Northern Irish environment and husbandry, to enable the milk industry to proactively use this information to maximize the promotion of Northern Ireland milk and dairy products, to address opportunities arising from Global Food Security Challenges and or Food safety risk management.Three different farm- based sampling campaigns were completed. Samples of milk, soil, silage and grass have been collected from farms across Northern Ireland and analysed. Study one was completed in 2016, samples were collected from 71 farms across Northern Ireland during winter. Study two was completed in 2017, samples were collected from 48 farms across Northern Ireland during summer. Study three investigated farming practice; samples of milk, grass and silage were collected every two months, over one year, from farms across Northern Ireland that contrasted in having year-round housing, or not. For these 3 studies, iodine and selenium levels were quantified using inductively couple plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). In addition, microbial analysis was completed using a combination of culture dependant and culture- independent approached to determine and compare the microbial diversity in milk samples.This research found that iodine and selenium display very strong relationships in the environment. However, despite the strong environmental relationships there appears to bedisconnect between the environment and milk iodine concentrations, as milk iodine and selenium concentrations did not correlate with any of the environmental parameters (p>0.05). Season had an important determining effect on the iodine and selenium concentrations in milk, with higher concentrations evident during winter months in comparison to summer months

Understanding the regulation of pattern recognition receptors in inflammatory diseases - a ‘nod’ in the right direction

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) -like receptors (NLRs) are a family of 23 receptors known as pattern recognition receptors; they are expressed in many cell types and play a key role in the innate immune response. The NLRs are activated by pathogen-associated molecular patterns, which include structurally conserved molecules present on the surfaces of bacteria. The activation of these NLRs by pathogens results in the downstream activation of signalling kinases and transcription factors, culminating in the transcription of genes coding for pro-inflammatory factors. Expression of NLR is altered in many cellular, physiological and disease states. There is a lack of understanding of the mechanisms by which NLR expression is regulated, particularly in chronic inflammatory states. Genetic polymorphisms and protein interactions are included in such mechanisms. This review seeks to examine the current knowledge regarding the regulation of this family of receptors and their signalling pathways as well as how their expression changes in disease states with particular focus on NOD1 and NOD2 in inflammatory bowel diseases among others

Consumer purchase intention towards a quick response (QR) code for antibiotic information: an exploratory study

Increasing awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has raised concerns surrounding antimicrobial use (AMU) in food-producing animals and has focused attention towards livestock production free from antibiotic use. As antibiotic-free livestock production proliferates in the UK, there is an increasing need to implement a system, such as the use of a QR code, to provide consumers with reliable antibiotic information while ensuring that animal welfare standards are upheld. Subsequently, this study aims to explore UK consumers’ perceptions and purchase intention towards QR code labelled pork, and to identify determinants of its purchase, incorporating various theoretical constructs from the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Based on results, consumers’ perceptions, perceived control, and attitudes towards QR code labelled pork are the main determinants of purchase intention. QR code labelled pork may offer a suitable alternative to antibiotic-free labelling as it provides consumers with antibiotic information without inadvertently communicating that conventionally produced pork is unsafe