Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Food safety and animal production systems: controlling zoonoses at farm level.
- Journal:
- Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics)
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- Collins, J D & Wall, P G
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Studies
Plain-English summary
This study looks at how to keep animals and poultry healthy on farms to prevent diseases that can spread to humans through food. It emphasizes the importance of good farming practices, like choosing healthy animals and providing veterinary care, as well as ensuring that animals have safe food and water, and a stress-free environment. Since farms can't be completely sterile, the researchers suggest that practical and flexible methods are needed to manage disease risks, depending on the type of farm and local conditions. Educating farmers about the importance of these measures is key to making sure they follow safety protocols. Overall, the goal is to create a safer food supply by controlling diseases before animals are processed for food.
Abstract
Controlling zoonotic agents in animal and poultry reservoirs has the effect of reducing the challenge to food safety management systems in processing and further along the food chain. Producing and maintaining healthy stock requires good husbandry practices, which include stock selection and veterinary attention. Feed is a key input, both as a source of pathogen-free nutrients and as a balanced dietto maintain healthy livestock. Safe water, appropriate vermin and wildlife control and an optimum environment to reduce stress are important if animals are to perform. Farms are not sterile environments and initiatives to reduce the zoonotic hazards have to be practical, economically feasible and flexible, depending on the scale of the enterprise, the species being farmed, and the epidemiology of the zoonotic agents in the particular geographical region. Education of farmers and stockmen is crucial to successful on-farm control of zoonoses, as an understanding of why control measures are necessary, and how they can be applied, will improve compliance with protocols and procedures. This understanding is a first step towards the implementation of a longitudinal integrated food safety assurance approach to zoonosis control in the pre-harvest phase of the food chain.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15702728/