Ensuring a negligible risk of Trichinella in pig farming from a control perspective

Abstract

Today, the majority of pigs are raised in industrialised pig production systems with a high level of biosecurity resulting in a negligible risk of Trichinella. Carcass testing therefore seems less relevant if the aim of testing is to protect public health. However, traditional pig production (including backyard production) still occurs, and organic pig production is on the increase in some areas, suggesting a continued need for carcass testing from such compartments. These diverse developments within pig production have changed the epidemiologic situation of Trichinella. This has necessitated an adaption of the legislation regarding Trichinella surveillance and control, in order to ensure and document public health while also allowing trade of livestock and meat without unnecessary restrictions. This is reflected in the recent development of the international legislation regarding Trichinella and associated control obligations for trade in pork as described in the EU legislation and by OIE/FAO/Codex.A common element in the adapted legislation, standards and guidelines is that if a high level of biosecurity can be demonstrated on a pig farm, then the farm belongs to the negligible-risk compartment and there is no need for carcass testing. Maintaining a negligible-risk compartment involves compliance checks for biosecurity requirements, for example through regular audit visits to the farms. Private standards can be used as means of third-party audit of the biosecurity status. Other (or additional) approaches to maintaining the negligible-risk compartment that do not involving a visit to the farm include slaughter surveillance.For farms that do not belong to a negligible-risk compartment an auditing of biosecurity does not make sense in the traditional way. For these farms, all pigs should be tested for Trichinella in order to ensure food safety and to undertake early-warning surveillance of a potentially high-risk sub-population.