Wastage due to diseases and defects in very young calves slaughtered in New Zealand

Analysis of disease and defect data from a national meat inspection database for very young calves slaughtered in New Zealand up to 1987 revealed low prevalences of diseases and defects but relatively high condemnation rates within particular disease and defect categories. Calves slaughtered between 1987 and 1992 showed a decrease in the total condemnation rate of carcasses from 2.20% to 1.17%. The greatest reductions in condemnation rates were seen in the categories of wounds and bruises and "other" reasons; navel ill (omphalophlebitis) was initially included in the latter category and condemnations due to this condition persisted as the most frequent cause of wastage. The decrease in condemnation rates occurred subsequent to implementation of a national farm-gate quality assurance programme and a scientific investigation of traditional meat inspection carcass condemnation criteria. The former led to an increase in the quality of calves submitted for slaughter and the latter to changes in specifications for meat inspection judgments for several localised and resolved diseases and defects. Alterations to the disease and defect recording categories of the database have resulted in more appropriate national statistics and such a database can be used to identify inconsistencies in the application of meat inspection judgments between slaughterhouses.     

Wastage due to diseases and defects in very young calves slaughtered in New Zealand

Analysis of disease and defect data from a national meat inspection database for very young calves slaughtered in New Zealand up to 1987 revealed low prevalences of diseases and defects but relatively high condemnation rates within particular disease and defect categories. Calves slaughtered between 1987 and 1992 showed a decrease in the total condemnation rate of carcasses from 2.20% to 1.17%. The greatest reductions in condemnation rates were seen in the categories of wounds and bruises and “other” reasons; navel ill (omphalophlebitis) was initially included in the latter category and condemnations due to this condition persisted as the most frequent cause of wastage. The decrease in condemnation rates occurred subsequent to implementation of a national farm-gate quality assurance programme and a scientific investigation of traditional meat inspection carcass condemnation criteria. The former led to an increase in the quality of calves submitted for slaughter and the latter to changes in specifications for meat inspection judgments for several localised and resolved diseases and defects. Alterations to the disease and defect recording categories of the database have resulted in more appropriate national statistics and such a database can be used to identify inconsistencies in the application of meat insDection iudgments between slaughterhouses.     

Lesions in the carcasses and viscera of very young slaughter calves condemned at post-mortem meat inspection

The carcasses of 370 very young slaughter calves condemned for various diseases and defects at routine post-mortem meat inspection were subjected to further and more detailed macroscopic examination as well as histopathological examination of some tissues. Of the carcasses examined, 138 were condemned for navel ill, and in the majority of these cases the lesions extended beyond the umbilicus, particularly involving the umbilical vein and the urachus. Enzootic pneumonia was the most common cause of pleuritic lesions in the carcass, and 75 carcasses were condemned for this lesion. Arthritis, whether localised or involving a number of joints, was the primary lesion in 32 carcasses. Focal interstitial nephritis was observed in the kidneys of 36 carcasses, while 23 carcasses were condemned for wounds and bruising. A number of other miscellaneous diseases and defects, including generalised peritonitis, jaundice, hepatic abscesses and fever, were observed at low rates in condemned carcasses. Resolution or localisation of lesions had occurred at the time of slaughter on average in 35% of the condemned carcasses and the judgment of total condemnation was difficult to justify on a scientific basis and would not have been applied to other classes of slaughtered livestock. In the case of wounds and bruising, 95.6% of the carcasses could have been trimmed. There was also considerable variation in the likely pathogenesis and systemic effects of the diseases and defects observed. A need for clear and specific judgment criteria to be applied to the carcasses of very young slaughter calves at post-mortem meat inspection was identified.     

The future role of the veterinarian in the control of zoonoses

Developments in the rearing and the health status of meat animals is presented. Attention is drawn to the increase in latent infections, most of which are zoonotic diseases. Such infections escape official ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection as it is presently conducted in industrialised countries, which still rely on the classical rules established by Robert von Ostertag. This examination is thus in need of reform. Proposals submitted to the EEC Commission consist of a stepwise inclusion of the major herds of meat animals in systematic health control aimed at effective control of zoonoses and thus improved consumer protection. It is thus expected that the importance of meat inspection on the basis of pathological-anatomical changes will decrease the importance of establishing the health status during the animal's lifetime will increase. Nevertheless, there will be no complete substitution of classical meat inspection because there are numerous changes in the meat specific to the individual animal which can be detected only by meat inspection, and must be detected if the concept of consumer protection is properly applied. The reform of meat inspection which has become necessary will entail a variety of new tasks for research.     

The future role of the veterinarian in the control of zoonoses

Summary

Developments in the rearing and the health status of meat animals is presented. Attention is drawn to the increase in latent infections, most of which are zoonotic diseases. Such infections escape official ante‐mortem and post‐mortem inspection as it is presently conducted in industrialised countries, which still rely on the classical rules established by Robert von Ostertag. This examination is thus in need of reform.

Proposals submitted to the EEC Commission consist of a stepwise inclusion of the major herds of meat animals in systematic health control aimed at effective control of zoonoses and thus improved consumer protection. It is thus expected that the importance of meat inspection on the basis of pathological‐anatomical changes will decrease the importance of establishing the health status during the animal's lifetime will increase.

Nevertheless, there will be no complete substitution of classical meat inspection because there are numerous changes in the meat specific to the individual animal which can be detected only by meat inspection, and must be detected if the concept of consumer protection is properly applied. The reform of meat inspection which has become necessary will entail a variety of new tasks for research.     

Food animal surveillance: search for a safe system?]

In Europe, meat inspection procedures have been established in the course of the last century. Techniques at that time available were used. This traditional approach has been taken over with the regularisation in the EEC. However, in order to scrutinise this approach as well as to specify modern tasks of meat inspection, a scientific and more basic approach is required and could read as follows: Pointing out the tasks of meat inspection as wanted by the specific society (human health, animal health and welfare as well as a certain quality level of the product). Collecting of particular criteria in order to ensure every task mentioned above. This could be addressed by use of a system based on the principles of Risk Analysis (identification and characterisation of a hazard (or unwanted item), consumer's exposure assessment). Having deduced the required criteria, for each of them an appropriate method must be available. Only then an overall system might be suggested, and only then particular techniques might be discussed. From examples is concluded, that the technical performance of meat inspection must be re-evaluated. Presently a total concept is not available.     

Meat inspection in New Zealand: prospects for change

Regulatory authorities are facing increasing challenges with respect to the newly-recognised public health risks associated with meat products. Meat inspection resources should be allocated according to their maximum ability to reduce food-borne hazards, rather than according to the classical rules of meat inspection. Scientific evaluation of routine post-mortem inspection procedures for each class of livestock, introduction of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point approach to process control, on-line testing for microbiological hazards and residues, and effective management of production, processing and inspection data are central to this process. The meat inspection system that has evolved in New Zealand reflects a response to non-scientific forces such as market requirements and industrial practices rather than scientific discipline. In the future, the daily routine of meat inspectors will be extended well beyond their current slaughterfloor responsibilities, and veterinarians will require specialist skills. Science should be the basis for international food regulation and policy concepts such as equivalence or mutual acceptance are achievable on this basis.     

Ante-mortem and post-mortem meat inspection: an Australian Inspection Service perspective

Australia, a major exporter of meat, has met and continues to meet the import requirements of various countries. It is free of many epizootic and zoonotic diseases and is eradicating bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis. Frequently, individual country requirements have not been relevant to the animal and public health status in Australia. Such a situation is unscientific, wasteful and unnecessary, and may divert priorities away from areas of major public and animal health significance which should be the main concern of consumers both in Australia and overseas. In recent years the Inspection Service of the Department of Primary Industry has reviewed meat inspection procedures necessary to protect public and animal health in Australia and in countries importing Australian meat. Priorities include attention to national or regional occurrence of disease in Australia and to the use of scientific principles in inspection, including disease identification, concepts of pathogenesis and effectiveness in removal of diseased tissue from meat. Revised post-mortem procedures for cattle, pigs, sheep and goats more relevant to disease occurrence and consideration of public health are described. In particular, this involves a reduction in the number of lymph node incisions. Future directions for meat inspection in Australia are postulated. Concern is expressed that the requirements of some importing countries are fixed in their legislation and consequently might inhibit desirable developments. In this context it is important that scientifically sound national codes for meat inspection of the exporting country be accepted by importing countries as providing public and animal health safeguards.     

Parasites in meat: a challenge for veterinarians in meat hygiene

Meat hygiene is an important instrument of preventive public health since the end of the nineteenth century. The methods used during ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection are partly quite traditional. This is in particular true for the identification of parasites in meat. The aim of this review was to present facts on aetiology, prevalence and importance of meat-borne parasitic hazards. The capacity and the limits of the ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection for the identification of parasitic hazards are considered. Further, suggestions for the improvement of the meat hygiene are given. Cysticercosis, Toxoplasmosis and Sarcocystosis are exposed in detail. With regard to Cysticercosis, the integration of serological methods in the inspection procedure could result in a tenfold improvement of diagnostical sensitivity. With regard to Toxoplasmosis, it is obvious that meat containing Toxoplasma-cysts may reach the consumer, as animals infected with Toxoplasma gondii can neither be recognised in the ante-mortem inspection nor in the meat inspection. Systematical serological investigations on farm level would allow an appropriate judgement during meat inspection and minimize the consumer exposure to this parasite. Further, reliable methods for the detection of Toxoplasma-cysts have to be developed. With regard to Sarcocystosis, the compulsory inspection of the muscle surfaces to recognise a "massive infection with Sarcocystis" is very doubtful in its interpretation. There is a need for suitable microscopic, serological and molecular biological methods for the detection of Sarcocystis-species and reliable informations on the seroprevalence of the parasite in slaughtering animals.     

Procedures in abattoirs and meat inspection. State of the discussion on the implementation of alternative systems

Results of field studies which were performed in EU member states and which dealt with meat inspection procedures in fattening pigs were reviewed with respect to their contribution to alternative systems of meat inspection. The following was concluded: Inspection ante mortem (monitoring of circumstances at the farm of origin): Data which should be given to the notice of the authorities have not yet been satisfactorily defined and their informative value still is not yet clear The predictive character of information from the farm of origin regarding the health status of the animals (results of meat inspection) is not yet sound enough The technique of ante mortem inspection should be reconsidered also. Meat inspection (monitoring and assessment of lesions): In all studies the compared techniques (visual and official procedure) did not entirely find all lesions, which were supposed to be on the carcasses and organs. This was true in different percentages. The impact on consumer's health from the lesions monitored has to be discussed more thoroughly. The information presently available is not yet sound enough to generate a new practicable system of meat inspection. Further pilot studies are necessary.     

Interrelations between diseases and effects of treatment procedures on some production parameters at Danish pig-breeding test stations

The epidemiologies of the most common diseases diagnosed in pigs at the Danish pig-breeding test stations were studied. The population under study comprised 9 084 test pigs housed at nine test stations from September 1983 to September 1984. At some stations the animals were treated for respiratory disease at an early stage, while at others the animals were treated late in the testing period. Great differences among stations were found in the intensity of treatment expressed as average number of treatments per test pig (total incidence), average number of treatment periods per treated pig (repeated treatments) and average number of treated pigs per treated group (prophylactic treatment of pen mates). The time at which the treatment started and the intensity of treatment both had significant effects on the culling rate and on the average growth rate at the station level. Associations between clinical respiratory disease, diarrhoea and other diseases were postive in the specific-pathogen-free (SPF) system, but differed from station to station in the conventional health system. Higher prevalences of pleuritic and pneumonic lesions were found at routine meat inspection in pigs treated for respiratory disease that in non-treated pigs. The time between last treatment for respiratory disease and slaughter influenced the meat inspection findings (suggesting that pneumonic lesions, in particular, were resolved with time).     

A possible approach to improve present meat inspection

The final decision in the meat inspection mainly depends on the results of the examinations before, during, or directly after the slaughter of animals in the slaughterhouse. The present threats to public health cannot be adequately judged on that place and under these circumstances. A new approach of the meat inspection methods is only possible with the cooperation of the other EU member states and the people who are involved in the meat inspection. New views on the purpose of meat inspection and the possibility of translation of these ideas towards Food Safety Objectives could be the basis for adaptation of the meat inspection. The rigid form in which the present meat inspection exists can be changed by this approach.     

Proposals for designing the food chain information for the implementation of the risk-oriented ante- and post-mortem meat inspection

The recent crises in the meat industry due to meat-associated risks such as salmonella, nitrofen and dioxin prove that the traditional ante- and post mortem inspection of slaughter animals and carcasses is not any longer able to recognise and prevent the risks of today. Therefore, the EU Commission has issued Reg. (EC) 853/2004 and Reg. (EC) 854/2004 that regulate the transition of the traditional meat inspection, which demands inspecting each individual carcass in the same way, to a risk-based meat inspection, which is using relevant pieces of information about the previous production stages for making risk-based decisions on the intensity of the inspection of slaughter pig batches. The new EU legislation is not any longer prescribing exactly the inspection procedure, but defines the food safety goals. The consequence is that there are still various ideas and opinions on how to implement a reasonable risk-based meat inspection, and, in particular, on how to design the "relevant food chain information". The present paper is describing the legal framework and the objectives of the risk-based meat inspection, and proposals for designing the food chain information for the implementation of the risk-based ante- and post-mortem meat inspection are made and discussed.     

An outline of a risk assessment-based system of meat safety assurance and its future prospects

Discussed are the outlines of a risk assessment-based system of meat safety assurance to replace the current meat inspection. An example of a system that uses the Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP)-principles in the entire production chain from stable to table is also given. Continuous evaluation of risks is the main driving force of the new system. Only then the system has the means to remain flexible and provide for the data necessary to convince trade partners that the products they buy are safe. A monitoring system that keeps track of the important health hazards in the entire chain from stable to table is therefore necessary. This includes monitoring of cases of disease in the human population caused by the hazardous agents of concern. Coordination of the monitoring and control and processing of the information is done by an independent body. Furthermore, the system demands a production from stable to table that is based on the ideas of Integrated Quality Control (IQC), HACCP, and certification of production processes and quality control procedures. Clear legislation provides for criteria about acceptable or unacceptable health risks for the consumer and determines at what moments which risks should be controlled by the producers. Simultaneously, the legislation has to be flexible enough to be able to adapt quickly to any changes in risks, or in the way risks should be controlled. In the new system current meat inspection can easily be carried out by employees of the slaughter houses and is no longer a direct responsibility of the authorities. The authorities only demand certain safety levels and verify whether producers stick to these. Producers remain fully responsible for the safety and quality of their products, and fully liable in case of any damage to the consumers' health. However, it is to be expected that some EU Member-States miss the organizational and agricultural basis for a successful application of the new system. Consequences are that two parallel flows of meat and meat products may come to existence. One flow will exist of meat produced according to the new, and with respect to safety assurance, superior system. The other flow will consist of meat produced and inspected in the traditional way. However, this meat will contain all the flaws that required a revision of the system in the first place. This, and the fact that EU policy ordains that part-taking in an alternative meat inspection system should be voluntary, may very well result in a very slow start-up of the new system. One of the easiest solutions, however, would be to implement a decontamination step in the slaughtering process, provided that this is accompanied by strict codes of hygienic practices and good manufacturing practices. Not only would this lead to safer meat, but also result in the two separate flows of meat becoming one flow again as well as an easier to organize livestock production according to HACCP-principles.     

The first Polish animal contagious disease act of 1844

The Veterinary Control Act of 1844 was the first to regulate in entirety the control of infectious diseases in animals and questions of sanitary inspection of animal food products in the Kingdom of Poland. The act listed explicit procedures regarding diagnostics, control and eradication of diseases as well as concerning animal food product inspection. The act required that animal owners become familiar with symptoms of animal diseases, their methods of control and that they prevent their spreading. The obligations of veterinarians, state physicians and administrative control bodies in the control of animal diseases were specified by the act. Besides the main text on the control of diseases and meat inspection the act also contains elements of food law, some norms concerning public law and order (e.g. requirements concerning dogs) and even some regulations on animal protection.     

Bovine tuberculosis: prevalence and diagnostic efficacy of routine meat inspection procedure in Woldiya municipality abattoir north Wollo zone, Ethiopia

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a widespread and endemic disease of cattle in Ethiopia posing a significant threat to public health. Regular surveillance by skin test, bacteriology, and molecular methods is not feasible due to lack of resources. Thus, routine abattoir (RA) inspection will continue to play a key role for national surveillance. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Woldiya municipal abattoir from April 1, 2009 to April 5, 2010 to estimate the prevalence of BTB in slaughtered cattle on the basis of detailed abattoir inspection and to compare efficacy of RA inspection with respect to detailed abattoir inspection and isolation and identification of Mycobacterium. Diagnostic accuracies (with corresponding measures of statistical uncertainty) were determined by computing test property statistics (sensitivity and specificity). Agreement between RA and detailed abattoir inspections was measured using kappa statistics. Out of 1,029 slaughtered heads of cattle examined during the study period, 63 (6.12 %) and 15 (1.45 %) were diagnosed with gross tuberculous lesions by detailed abattoir meat inspections and RA meat inspections, respectively, making a prevalence of 6.12 % (95 % CI: 5.2–7.1) on the basis of detailed abattoir inspection. About 59.45 % of tuberculous lesions were observed in the lungs and associated lymph nodes, whereas 35.13 % lesions were from the lymph nodes of the head. From 63 cattle suspected with tuberculosis (TB) based on detailed abattoir meat inspection, nine (19.05 %) were identified as Mycobacterium bovis, while three (4.8 %) as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The sensitivity of RA meat inspection was 23.8 % in comparison to the detailed abattoir meat inspection and 25 % in comparison to culture, respectively. Poor agreement (k?=?0.37) was seen between RA meat examination and detailed abattoir meat examination methods. Similarly, poor agreement (k?=?0.013) was seen between RA meat examination and culture results. In conclusion, relatively higher prevalence (6.12 %) was recorded in Woldiya municipal abattoir on the basis of detailed Abattoir inspection and RA meat inspection protocols currently utilized in Ethiopia which are insufficient to detect the majority (76.19 %) of TB lesions at the gross level, which indicates the magnitude of meat borne zoonotic TB as an ongoing risk to public health. Detailed abattoir inspection protocols were demonstrated to improve the detection level by approximately fourfold. In conclusion, routine meat inspections have limitations in detecting BTB-suggestive lesions which indicate the magnitude of meat-borne zoonotic TB as an ongoing risk to public health.     

Results of the evaluation of food chain information for a risk-oriented meat inspection

In a scientific project 469 slaughter groups originating from 39 farmers with 37.222 pigs in total were investigated concerning the usefulness of the food chain information. A standard statement does not include enough relevant information for the official veterinarian in the slaughterhouse to do a risk-based meat inspection. Even the food chain information for the visual meat inspection, which has certain limits, shows only farms, where the animals are of good health. Groups of fattened pigs with an extreme high rate of mortality and many abnormalities mean a potential risk for food safety. So for a risk-based meat inspection it is affordable to develop information-systems with real mortality and finding rates and the use of drugs on the farm.     

Meat inspection education in Finnish veterinary curriculum

This article describes the Finnish meat-inspection curriculum and presents an expert-panel evaluation of meat-inspection education. The work tasks of the meat-inspection veterinarian are challenging and include classical meat inspection, meat hygiene, hygiene control, and animal disease and welfare. The meat-inspection veterinarian is not only an inspector, which by itself is very demanding, but also an expert or "consultant" on food safety. The significant role of the meat-inspection veterinarian in society puts high demands on meat-inspection education, which should provide veterinary students with sufficient tools to perform meat inspection and hygiene control in slaughterhouses, cutting premises, and further processing plants. To be of high quality, such education must be evaluated from time to time. An expert panel evaluated Finnish undergraduate meat-inspection education and found that it provides veterinary students with good knowledge of meat inspection. The structure of the curriculum, with theoretical studies followed by four weeks of practice in a slaughterhouse, was considered vital for learning and for creating interest in meat inspection. The evaluation also revealed that certain subjects should receive greater emphasis and some new subjects should be introduced. Hygiene-control tasks, in particular, have increased and should receive more emphasis in education. Personnel management and interaction skills should be introduced into the curriculum as these skills influence all the duties of the meat-inspection veterinarian. This article outlines the subjects to be included in the modern, high-quality meat-inspection curriculum recommended by the expert panel.     

Evaluation and optimization of surveillance systems for rare and emerging infectious diseases

Surveillance for rare and emerging infectious diseases poses a special challenge to veterinary services. Most emerging infectious diseases like bovine tuberculosis (bTB) are zoonoses, affecting both human and animal populations. Despite the low prevalence of such an emerging infectious disease at time of incursion, the surveillance system should be able to detect the presence of the disease as early as possible. Because passive surveillance is a relatively cost-effective and therefore commonly used process, it is the basic tool for infectious disease surveillance. Because of under-reporting in passive surveillance, cost-intensive active surveillance is often required to increase the sensitivity of the surveillance system. Using scenario tree modelling, the sensitivity of passive and active surveillance system components (SSC) can be quantified and an optimal, cost-effective surveillance system developed considering the contributions of each SSC. We illustrate this approach with the example of bTB surveillance in Switzerland where the surveillance system for bTB consists of meat inspection at the slaughterhouse (SLI), passive clinical surveillance on farm (CLIN) and human surveillance (HS). While the sensitivities for CLIN and HS were both negligible (<1%), SLI was assessed to be 55.6%. The scenario tree model showed that SLI is increasable up to 80.4% when the disease awareness of meat inspectors in Switzerland is enhanced. A hypothetical random survey (RS) was also compared with a targeted survey (TS) in high-risk strata of the cattle population, and the sensitivity of TS was 1.17-fold better than in RS but with 50% of the sample size.     

A study of the prevalence and economic significance of diseases and defects of slaughtered farmed deer

A survey was undertaken in a deer slaughterhouse to record the diseases, defects, and productivity-related information that were detectable at postmortem meat inspection. A total of 4762 farmed deer were surveyed in 1988-89 over the period of highest throughput (October-January). Comparative data were drawn from a further two deer slaughterhouses and from national disease and defect statistics for slaughtered cattle. Farmed deer had a very different disease and defect status compared to cattle. Wounds and bruises dominated the disease and defect statistics, and resulted in an average loss of 26.9% in carcass value over all cases. In addition, most chronic pathological lesions were trauma-related. Tuberculosis was the only infectious disease of importance, and the prevalence of confirmed cases (0.38%) o was significantly higher than that in slaughtered cattle in New Zealand (0.07%). Average loss in carcass value for reactors and confirmed tuberculous cases was 74.7%.