Abattoir-specific ways of implementing risk-based meat inspection methods in Germany

In the European Union serological and/or bacteriological monitoring results on zoonoses are to be taken into account for the risk assessment of slaughter pig herds in the framework of the risk-based meat inspection. Furthermore, the European food safety strategy pursues the additional goal to increase herd health. The new understanding of “One Health” (healthy animals and healthy people) and the new paradigm of assuring safe food (responsibility of food producers, prevention, risk-orientation, process-optimization, and continuous improvement) require new concepts for replacing the traditional meat inspection at the slaughter line with a risk-based meat inspection focusing at the whole food chain, and for modern and proactive veterinary diagnostics

The Herd Health and Welfare Index as a benchmarking tool for antimicrobial resistance

The occurrence of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms in livestock, especially ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (E.coli), is an increasing challenge (WHO, 2001). The aim of this project is to analyse the relationship between herd health and animal welfare on the one hand, evaluated by means of a self-developed Herd Health and Welfare Index (HHWI), and on the other the frequency of the antimicrobial resistant microorganisms. The developed HHWI described in this paper includes animal- oriented and management-based parameters that can be easily assessed at farm level, resulting in an easy-to-use benchmarking tool. Within the FP7-EU research project EFFORT, the health and welfare quality of 180 pig herds in nine participating European countries are evaluated by using the parameters of the HHWI and the occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli in the study herds by analysing faecal samples

Risk-based meat inspection: Implementation experiences in Germany and integration of animal-oriented welfare criteria

The paper describes the experiences from seven pilot projects in Germany on implementing the risk-based meat inspection: analysing the status quo per slaughter house, defining the specific risks of the region of the supplying herds, creating the preconditions for recording and exchanging a meaningful set of data for the food chain information including animal health and welfare criteria, training of risk-oriented logistic slaughter and adding targeted inspection procedures in case of increased food safety risks indicated for entire herds or slaughter batches

Occurrence of livestock-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus au reus (laMRSA) in domestic pigs and wild boars in Germany

In order to identify differences in the frequency of MRSA in conventional pig herds compared to organic pig herds, and wild boars in Germany, three different studies on the occurrence of MRSA were conducted. The results show a considerably higher amount of MRSA-positive pigs in conventional herds than in pigs of organic herds and in wild boars (no MRSA were found in the tested wild boars). All MRSA isolates belong to the clonal line MRSA ST398, which is known as livestock-associated MRSA (laMRSA). Our two hypotheses for the considerably higher occurrence of MRSA in conventional pig production arc: a) the circulation of this special clonal line laMRSA ST398 between conventional pig herds and b) better MRSA transmission conditions because of a higher pig density in conventional pig production systems than in organic pig pig production systems or in the wild boar population

Guidelines for farmers, transporters and official veterinarians to assess the fitness for transport and slaughter of slaughter pigs

Legislative provisions related to animal transport and ante-mortem meat inspection of farm animals exist both at national and at European level. The Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 characterizes the transport criteria that are to be met with regard to the animals’ health and welfare

Differences in code terminology and frequency of findings in meat inspection of finishing pigs in seven European countries

The overall objectives of meat inspection are to contribute to food safety, animal welfare, and animal health. In the European Union (EU), there is a request for a modernised meat inspection system that addresses these objectives in a more valid, feasible and cost-effective way than does the traditional system. One part of the modernisation deals with the coding system to register meat inspection findings. Although unified standards are set at the EU level for judgement criteria regarding fitness of meat for consumption, different national systems are in force. The question is the extent of the differences and whether there is a basis for harmonisation. To investigate this, information was gathered about the code systems in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain. Moreover, meat inspection data covering pigs slaughtered in 2019 were collected. A comparison of the number of codes available, the terminology and the frequencies of the findings registered was undertaken. Codes with a similar meaning were grouped. Hereby, two lists were compiled showing the most common codes leading to total and to partial condemnation. Substantial variations in the percentage of condemned pigs and in the terms used were identified, and possible reasons behind this are discussed. Moreover, a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT)-like analysis was applied to the coding systems. Finally, the reasons for unfitness of meat given in the EU Food Inspection Regulation 2019/627 were compared to the national code lists. The results show the systems in force varied substantially, and each system had its advantages and disadvantages. The diverse terminology observed made it a challenge to compare data between countries. Development of harmonised terminology for meat inspection findings is suggested, enabling comparison of data between abattoirs, regions, and countries, while respecting the national epidemiological situation, the local food safety culture, and the trade agreements in force.Peer reviewe

Differences in code terminology and frequency of findings in meat inspection of finishing pigs in seven European countries

The overall objectives of meat inspection are to contribute to food safety, animal welfare, and animal health. In the European Union (EU), there is a request for a modernised meat inspection system that addresses these objectives in a more valid, feasible and cost-effective way than does the traditional system. One part of the modernisation deals with the coding system to register meat inspection findings. Although unified standards are set at the EU level for judgement criteria regarding fitness of meat for consumption, different national systems are in force. The question is the extent of the differences and whether there is a basis for harmonisation. To investigate this, information was gathered about the code systems in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain. Moreover, meat inspection data covering pigs slaughtered in 2019 were collected. A comparison of the number of codes available, the terminology and the frequencies of the findings registered was undertaken. Codes with a similar meaning were grouped. Hereby, two lists were compiled showing the most common codes leading to total and to partial condemnation. Substantial variations in the percentage of condemned pigs and in the terms used were identified, and possible reasons behind this are discussed. Moreover, a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT)-like analysis was applied to the coding systems. Finally, the reasons for unfitness of meat given in the EU Food Inspection Regulation 2019/627 were compared to the national code lists. The results show the systems in force varied substantially, and each system had its advantages and disadvantages. The diverse terminology observed made it a challenge to compare data between countries. Development of harmonised terminology for meat inspection findings is suggested, enabling comparison of data between abattoirs, regions, and countries, while respecting the national epidemiological situation, the local food safety culture, and the trade agreements in force

Modernising meat inspection using risk-based approaches

A workshop at the SafePork Conference in 2023 delved deeply into the concepts and practicalities of risk-based meat inspection. Such approaches could significantly improve food safety while making the process more efficient and cost-effective

Organic Agriculture

Consumers are increasingly aware of the health- and safety-related implications of the food which they can buy in the market. At the same time, households have become more aware of their environmental responsibilities. Regarding the production of food, a crucial and multifunctional role is played by agriculture. The way vegetables, fruits, and other crops are grown and how livestock is raised has an impact on the environment and landscape. Operations performed by farmers, such as water management, can be dangerous for the soil and the whole ecosystem. Consequently, there is a search for natural ways of sustaining the impact of agriculture on the environment. In this context, one of the most popular ideas is organic agriculture. In the literature on the subject, there are many concepts that some authors consider to be synonymous even as others argue that these terms are not interchangeable. There is, for example, "organic agriculture," "alternative agriculture," "sustainable agriculture," "ecological agriculture," "biological agriculture," "niche farming," "community-supported agriculture," and "integrated pest management." Very often, techniques and products related to organic agriculture are described by marketing experts with the use of abbreviations such as "bio" and "eco." Products with such markings and labels are increasingly popular in stores that often give them separate shelves for their sale. Despite the higher price compared to conventional products, they are increasingly sought by consumers. The entry examines the various impacts of organic agriculture with a view to these trends