Revised post-mortem inspection procedures for cattle and pigs slaughtered Australian abattoirs

Revised procedures for the post-mortem inspection of cattle and pigs at Australian abattoirs were developed as minimum national requirements. Comparative trials of current and revised procedures were conducted at 3 and 4 Australian abattoirs for pigs and cattle respectively. Residual pathological changes after inspection and removal of lesions from heads, carcases or viscera were recorded by an evaluation team with the data used to determine relative effectiveness. For cattle, there was no significant difference between current and revised procedures. Although it had been proposed to eliminate routine incision of cervical lymph nodes for pigs, it was found necessary to retain this procedure. The data also revealed a significant variation in detection of pathology between abattoirs for both species. Parasitic conditions accounted for the greatest proportion of undetected lesions in both species for both current and revised procedures. These comprised mainly fascioliasis in cattle and ascariasis in pigs. The former was associated with the study being conducted in eastern Australia. Chronic interstitial nephritis was also a common undetected lesion, reinforcing the need for intensified inspection of kidneys. However, such residual pathology was considered to be of only limited significance to human health. The revised procedures and findings are discussed in the context of animal and human health and of the importance of the meat industry to Australian exports. Some attention has been given to specific conditions likely to be affected by the proposals including tuberculosis, bovine cysticercosis, fascioliasis, porcine arthritis and salmonellosis. The role of meat inspection in monitoring for specific diseases is discussed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Meat inspection in the Australian red-meat industries: past, present and future

Postmortem inspection of carcases and offal has been a cornerstone of consumer protection in the red-meat industry for over a century. In 2011, there began strong moves to reform the traditional process of meat inspection applied to cattle, sheep and goats in Australia. A major motivation was the widespread acceptance that organoleptic inspection does little to control the most important hazards in meat products - microbial pathogens derived from gut flora. The watershed reforms in international trade provided another incentive by encouraging the application of a risk-based approach to food safety, which allows for the discontinuation of processes that do not enhance public health outcomes. As well, there was a strong imperative to ensure that resources allocated to quality assurance delivered maximum economic benefit for both consumers and processors. This review discusses how the role of meat inspection is likely to evolve into the future under the influence of these forces. It summarises how the current system was derived through repeated modification over time, mainly to satisfy the requirements of trading partners. Major developments are summarised, focusing especially on how the inclusion of particular organoleptic techniques was initially justified and the relevance of these to modern meat production. Overall, analysis of past and present practices suggests that in the future both public health and efficiency will be better served by strategically integrating the most effective elements of traditional organoleptic inspection with information from the preslaughter period and the use of modern technology for rapid and accurate detection of hazards.     

Good animal welfare makes economic sense: potential of pig abattoir meat inspection as a welfare surveillance tool

ABSTRACT: During abattoir meat inspection pig carcasses are partially or fully condemned upon detection of disease that poses a risk to public health or welfare conditions that cause animal suffering e.g. fractures. This incurs direct financial losses to producers and processors. Other health and welfare-related conditions may not result in condemnation but can necessitate 'trimming' of the carcass e.g. bruising, and result in financial losses to the processor. Since animal health is a component of animal welfare these represent a clear link between suboptimal pig welfare and financial losses to the pig industry.Meat inspection data can be used to inform herd health programmes, thereby reducing the risk of injury and disease and improving production efficiency. Furthermore, meat inspection has the potential to contribute to surveillance of animal welfare. Such data could contribute to reduced losses to producers and processors through lower rates of carcass condemnations, trimming and downgrading in conjunction with higher pig welfare standards on farm. Currently meat inspection data are under-utilised in the EU, even as a means of informing herd health programmes. This includes the island of Ireland but particularly the Republic.This review describes the current situation with regard to meat inspection regulation, method, data capture and utilisation across the EU, with special reference to the island of Ireland. It also describes the financial losses arising from poor animal welfare (and health) on farms. This review seeks to contribute to efforts to evaluate the role of meat inspection as a surveillance tool for animal welfare on-farm, using pigs as a case example.     

Control of trichinellosis by inspection and farm management practices

The prevention of human trichinellosis by proper meat inspection is a classic example of successful veterinary public health measures. The microscopic methods which have been used for more than a century to test pigs for trichinae were intended to prevent human disease. However, the value of these relatively insensitive direct detection methods, including trichinoscopy and pooled sample digestion, was debated as soon as more sensitive indirect (serological) methods became available. Two issues related to testing were discussed. First, should public health authorities endeavour to prevent all infections of humans rather than simply prevent the occurrence of disease, and second, would epidemiological surveillance and monitoring of the pig population on farms not provide a better control system to prevent human infection. This latter issue is of particular importance for those countries in the world where human trichinellosis acquired from farmed animals is absent and examination of pigs at the abattoir only results in negative findings. In countries where domestic pig infections are virtually non-existent, monitoring of Trichinella infection in wildlife could also contribute to understanding the infection pressure from nature to livestock. Trichinella-free pig farming is a feasible option for controlling this zoonosis, even in endemic areas. This approach provides an opportunity to combine good veterinary practice, in order to prevent animal diseases, with the prevention of Trichinella infection. All animals with access to the environment, or animals which are fed with potentially Trichinella-infected feed (swill, carcasses) will always constitute a public health threat, and must be inspected individually at slaughter (swine, horses, wild boars). Finally, it is important to recognize that trichinellosis is a world-wide problem that needs continuous public health attention. If no control system exists, for whatever reason, the public should be educated not to consume improperly cooked meat.     

浅议肉禽无禽流感生物安全隔离区国家评估机制

生物安全隔离区国家评估工作,既是我国《动物防疫法》等法律法规的要求,也是当前动物和动物产品国际贸易中进口方对出口方生物安全隔离区实施无疫认可的前提条件。生物安全隔离区是我国无规定动物疫病区的一种重要类型。本文在《无规定动物疫病区评估管理办法》基础上,结合肉禽无禽流感生物安全隔离区有关标准的相关技术要求,研究构建了我国肉禽无禽流感生物安全隔离区国家评估机制,明确了生物安全隔离区国家评估的评估管理、评估程序和方法、评估结果发布以及评估后管理等方面的要求,为我国下一步开展肉禽无禽流感生物安全隔离区国家评估工作提供借鉴和参考。     

New food safety initiatives in the Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

The production of meat and poultry products has become increasingly complex. Technological growth has contributed to the need for sophistication in determining the origin and risk of food-borne microbial infections as well as environmental contaminants. The increasing use of agricultural chemicals in animal production and to some extent in processed foods has led to the presence of chemical residues in meat and poultry. These changes have caused the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a public health agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to institute new food safety initiatives and procedures for inspection of meat and poultry products. The goal is to reduce risks to the public health from conditions observed during antemortem and postmortem inspection or detected during processing. FSIS is committed to scientific innovation and has implemented several rapid inplant tests that have given the Agency inexpensive, less disruptive methods to determine product adulteration contamination.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Impact of ovine meat inspection systems on processing and production costs

The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of government-regulated meat inspection systems are under review in a number of countries. A post mortem organoleptic meat inspection programme is the most costly component of an inspection system and the procedures applied to a particular class of livestock should be appropriate to the spectrum and prevalence of diseases and defects present in each geographical region. Awareness of the impact of specific inspection requirements on processing costs, the application of integrated quality management principles and the development of programmes that disseminate information on diseases and defects and reward the producer of high-quality carcases, are all features of an efficient and cost-effective inspection system.     

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.     

进境SPF鼠传入疫病风险分析

为识别并及时防范进境SPF鼠携带病原传入的风险,根据《一、二、三类动物疫病病种名录》《中华人民共和国进境动物检疫疫病名录》以及相关公告、国家标准和国际组织要求,通过风险识别确定汉坦病、淋巴细胞脉络丛脑膜炎、鼠痘、小鼠肝炎和仙台病毒病等5种疫病会带来一定风险。从病原学特征、疫病发生、易感动物、传播途径等方面进行5种疫病的定性评估,使用风险评估矩阵确定综合风险水平,认定这5种疫病传入风险较高,传入后果较为严重。因此,应对这5种疫病实施重点监测,同时采取相应的风险管理措施,重点包括加强出口国相关动物卫生证书审核,提高隔离场管理水平,增强SPF实验鼠卫生和健康管理意识。     

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.     

动物健康体系建设与公共卫生一体化构建研究

动物健康体系最初在澳大利亚和加拿大等国建立,在动物疾病防控方面起到了十分重要的作用.本文对澳大利亚已建立的动物健康体系和我国兽医医疗体制进行对比,分析在我国建立更合理的官方兽医制度和动物健康体系以加快兽医与人医公共卫生一体化进程的对策.     

Evaluation of Abattoir Inspection for the Diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Cattle at Addis Ababa Abattoir

Detailed postmortem examinations were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of meat inspection procedures and to determine the distribution of lesions in Mycobacterium bovis-infected cattle. The study involved routine inspection at slaughter, collection of tissues for detailed examination in the laboratory, and bacteriological examination to identify M. bovis. Additionally, a 10-year (1992--2001) meat inspection record was analysed to determine tuberculosis trends in the past decade. chi2-Test and simple regression were used to analyse the data. Out of 1350 cattle examined, 1.5% were found with tuberculous lesions. Routine abattoir inspection detected only 55% of cattle with confirmed lesions. Fifty-four per cent of tuberculous lesions were found in the lungs and thoracic lymph nodes, 23% in the lymph nodes of the head, and the remaining 23% in the mesenteric and other lymph nodes of the carcase. M. bovis was additionally isolated from an animal that had no gross lesions of tuberculosis. On average, the annual rate of whole-carcase condemnation due to generalized tuberculosis was 0.024% and it has increased annually by 0.34% over the past decade. The rate of whole-carcase condemnation indicates a high degree of TB transmission and requires immediate attention from both the economic and public health points of view. The lower sensitivity of routine abattoir inspection confirms the importance of improving necropsy procedures.     

动物健康体系构建研究

动物健康体系最初在澳大利亚和加拿大等国建立,在动物疾病防控方面起到了十分重要的作用。本文对澳大利亚已建立的动物健康体系和我国兽医医疗体制进行对比,分析在我国建立更合理的官方兽医制度和动物健康体系以加快兽医与人医公共卫生一体化进程的对策。     

A case for increased private sector involvement in Ireland's national animal health services

Non-regulatory animal health issues, such as Johne's disease, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and mastitis will become increasing important, with ongoing globalisation of markets in animals and animal products. In response, Ireland may need to broaden the scope of its national animal health services. However, there have been concerns about the respective roles and responsibilities (both financial and otherwise) of government and industry in any such moves. This paper argues the case for increased private sector involvement in Ireland's national animal health services, based both on theoretical considerations and country case studies (the Netherlands and Australia). The Dutch and Australian case studies present examples of successful partnerships between government and industry, including systems and processes to address non-regulatory animal health issues. In each case, the roles and responsibilities of government are clear, as are the principles underpinning government involvement. Furthermore, the roles and responsibilities (financial and otherwise) of the Dutch and Australian industry are determined through enabling legislation, providing both legitimacy and accountability. There are constraints on the use of EU and national government funds to support non-regulatory animal health services in EU member states (such as Ireland and the Netherlands).     

Combination of variance components estimation, regression trees and logistic regression as a concept for exploring associations between animal husbandry conditions and lesions found at slaughter

Integrated quality control measures have been discussed in farm animal husbandry and veterinary medicine for some time in search of concepts to link information on management factors with disease data gained by veterinary meat inspection at slaughter. Better understanding of relationships between these variables hopefully will help to improve management practices as well as meat quality and safety. In order to analyse data gained on-farm and at slaugherhouses and to investigate relationships between animal husbandry conditions and lesion occurrence at slaughter a biometrical concept has been developed. This concept combines a characterization of variation structures, the generation of regression trees to explore association structures in available animal management and disease data, and logistic regression used to quantify systematic effects of farm management factors. The combination of these three steps is illustrated with an example.     

Brazilian foot and mouth disease status and meat exportation to the European Union

The aim of this study was to define the differences between the Brazilian states that export and do not export meat to the European Union (EU) and to identify the variables that are important to meet the export requirements. Infrastructure and computerization of the control of animal transit in Brazil that impact on regional health status were evaluated and linked to other variables such as status for foot and mouth disease (FMD) and qualification to export meat to EU. Variables related to transit control of bovines implemented by the state agencies of animal health and inspection in each Brazilian state were evaluated. Using a discriminant analysis, four variables were selected that explained the variation between Brazilian states that were “free” and “not free” of FMD while another four were selected to explain the variation between the zones “approved” and “not approved” to export meat to the EU, including number of official veterinarians, total transit of bovines and buffaloes, total number of animal transit certificates issued for bovine and buffaloes at the state or zone level, and total number of municipalities in the state or zone. It was possible to correctly discriminate between “free” and “not free” FMD states or zones. Variables related to animal transit are important in assessing the state for the classification of animal health situation and for EU approval for the exportation of meat.