Veal Calves Research Articles

Characterisation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Special-Fed Veal Production Environments.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the leading public health threats globally. AMR genes can be transferred between bacteria through lateral gene transfer, and AMR organisms can spread through environments by contaminated water, agriculture and animals. Thus, widespread environmental dissemination of bacteria and lateral gene transfer facilitate AMR transmission pathways. Farm environments in dairy and calf production are known to harbour AMR bacteria that pose a risk for food contamination and to workers in direct or indirect contact with animals. Escherichia coli is present in farm environments and is known to participate in lateral gene transfer, providing a good marker of resistance genes in each environment. In this study, E. coli from nine cohorts of calves was isolated at different time points from nine barns, nine trailers and one slaughterhouse environment in a single special-fed veal calf production facility. The antimicrobial susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials, classified as highly or critically important by the World Health Organization, was characterised for E. coli isolates using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. The highest proportion of isolates showing multidrug resistance was present in barn environments (51.7%), where calves were housed from their arrival at < 2 weeks of age until they were transported to slaughter. Additionally, 15 E. coli isolates were resistant to 11 of the 15 antimicrobials tested. Trailer and slaughterhouse environments had greater prevalence of resistance after accommodating calves, including resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. These data highlight the importance of calf environments in the dissemination of resistant bacteria and gives insight into where interventions could be most effective in combatting antimicrobial-resistant bacteria that could infect humans and livestock.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the flowering tops of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil from the fresh flowering tops of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender oil) when used as a sensory additive in feed and in water for drinking for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive under assessment is considered safe up to the maximum proposed use levels in complete feed of 30 mg/kg for dogs and ornamental fish. For the other target species, the calculated safe concentrations were 9 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, 13 mg/kg for laying hens, 12 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 19 mg/kg for pigs for fattening, 16 mg/kg for piglets, 23 mg/kg for sows, 39 mg/kg for veal calves (milk replacer) and salmonids, 35 mg/kg for cattle for fattening, sheep/goats and horses, 22 mg/kg for dairy cows, 14 mg/kg for rabbits and 7 mg/kg for cats. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For any other species, the additive is safe at 7 mg/kg complete feed. The use of lavender oil in water for drinking was considered safe provided that the total daily intake does not exceed the daily amount considered safe when consumed via feed. The use of lavender oil in animal feed under the proposed conditions of use is safe for the consumer and the environment. Regarding user safety, the essential oil under assessment should be considered as an irritant to skin and eyes and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Since the oil of the flowering tops of L. angustifolia is recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

PSXI-22 Effects of a palatability enhancer and olive bioactives on performance and physiological status of veal calves after farm reception

Abstract Veal calves have to deal with several stressors early in life, such as transport and commingling with animals of unknown health histories from multiple different origins; making the reception a possible critical period where animals should adapt to all these challenges. Previous studies in unweaned rosée calves have shown that the use of feed additives (FA) to enhance intake and immunity at farm arrival could be a strategy to minimize the negative effects of stress and feed restriction during transportation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a palatability enhancer (PE) and olive bioactives (OB) on performance and serum biomarkers in veal calves. Dairy beef calves [n = 252; BVD-free; body weight (BW) = 44.6 ± 3.63 kg] coming from auction market were distributed in 3 treatments (84 animals/tr) during 8 wk: i) calves fed concentrate and MR without FA (negative control, NC); ii) calves fed concentrate and MR with a PE based on sweeteners (PE); and iii) calves fed concentrate with PE and MR with PE and OB (PEOB). On farm arrival animals were housed individually until 5 wk of age, when animals were grouped in pens of 4 calves. Performance was monitored during the trial and serum samples were collected 48 h after the mixing (25 animals/tr) to analyze several biomarkers related to immune system (MILLIPLEX MAP Kit) and energy status (BHBA). Performance data were analyzed with a mixed-effects model and serum biomarkers by One-Way Anova with Fisher’s LSD correction for multiple comparisons (normally distributed data) or by non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s correction (data not normally distributed). Final BW was greater (P = 0.01) in PE and PEOB groups compared with NC (+2.2 kg and +2.6 kg, respectively). Concentrate feed intake (FI) during first 4 wk tended (P = 0.06) to be greater in PEOB compared with NC (+15%); however, after grouping (wk 5 to wk 8), PE showed a ldecreased FI compared with NC (-9.5%, P = 0.01). Forty-eight hours after animal grouping, PEOB showed reduced concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α than NC and PE (P = 0.03). Moreover, PEOB and PE had a greater concentration of interleukin (IL) 36Rα (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and IP10 (P &amp;lt; 0.01) compared with NC. Besides PEOB tended (P &amp;lt; 0.15) to have decreased concentrations of MIP1α, IL1α, and BHBA compared with PE. In conclusion, the addition of a PE and OB improved the adaptation of veal calves after reception, resulting in greater final BW. The improvement in early FI and the immunomodulatory effect in challenging situations displayed by the treatments may partially explain the observed benefits.

Evaluation of a voluntary passive surveillance component in cattle through notification of excess mortality

Passive surveillance can be most effective in the early detection of disease outbreaks given that farmers observe their animals daily. The European Animal Health Law states that unexplained excess mortality should be reported to the veterinary authorities. In the Netherlands, in addition to notifications to the competent authority, Royal GD is commissioned a passive surveillance component that consists of a veterinary helpdesk and postmortem examination for early detection of emerging diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate this voluntary passive surveillance component through excess mortality in cattle.Weekly on-farm mortality was calculated using the cattle Identification and Registration records. Mortality was assessed on regional level for dairy, veal and other beef cattle using a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) (log-link, negative binomial). We used a cumulative sum of the model residuals to identify periods of excess mortality. The mortality was defined as excessive when above five times the standard error. The analysis was also conducted on herd level, but these models did not converge.We checked for an association between the two passive surveillance components elements and excess mortality. A GLM (log-link, negative binomial) with the number of contacts or submissions per region as the dependent variables and excess mortality per region and year as independent variables was carried out.Overall, the models showed significantly higher use of passive surveillance components in periods of excess mortality compared to non-excess periods. In dairy cattle the odds for contact or submission were between 1.72 (1.59–1.86) and 2.02 (1.82–2.25). For veal calves we found the odds of 2.19 (1.18–4.04) and 2.24 (1.78–2.83) relative to periods without excess mortality. Beef cattle operations, other than veal, showed only an increased odds for postmortem submissions in calves of 3.71 (2.74–5.01), submissions for cattle and contact in general was not increased for this farm type.In conclusion, the voluntary passive surveillance component in the Netherlands is used more often in periods of excess mortality in cattle. The chance of getting a timely response is highest for dairy farms. For veal calf operations the chance of receiving a timely response is more likely for postmortem submissions. A comparison with passive surveillance for excess mortality in other countries was not possible because no literature could be found. However, the method of this study can be used by other countries to evaluate their passive surveillance. This would make comparison of the performance of passive surveillance in different countries possible.

PSV-23 Physiological status evolution of veal calves after reception period

PSV-23 Physiological status evolution of veal calves after reception period

Molecular characterisation of Mycoplasma bovis isolates from consecutive episodes of respiratory disease on Dutch veal farms

Mycoplasma bovis infections are wide spread in veal calf farms and a major contributor to respiratory disease. M. bovis are genetically diverse. It is unclear how this diversity influences the virulence and epidemiology of infections on veal calf farms over time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to follow the genetic composition of M. bovis isolates on veal farms over time in a fattening round and combine this with presence of disease and presence of other respiratory pathogens. For this, M. bovis isolates were obtained from healthy and diseased calves from ten different farms at different episodes of respiratory disease in the same groups in one fattening round. A new episode of respiratory disease was defined by the practitioner based on clinical diagnosis at least 7 days after end of a previous metaphylactic treatment. These isolates were sequenced using Illumina sequencing and analysed. This resulted in 148 sequenced isolates. The isolates belonged to 9 different clusters and to the known MLST sequence types ST4 (n=9), ST6 (n=2), ST7 (n=1), ST8 (n=1), ST21 (n=32), ST29 (n=30), ST32 (n=1), ST100 (n=36), ST122 (n=17) and ST135 (n=4), and new sequence types ST222 (n=8), ST223 (n=1), ST224 (n=5) and ST225 (n=1). Major sequence types are linked to types, found in other European countries. All farms showed presence of two or more different clusters, however with different distribution patterns. Farms did not show a major shift in type distribution over time. There was a relationship between M. bovis type and region of origin of the calves and the types differed with regards of presence of variable membrane surface lipoprotein (Vsp) genes. Types were not related to disease status of the calves or presence of other major respiratory pathogens. This study underlines the complexity of M. bovis infection on veal calf farms with persistent presence of different types together in both healthy and diseased calves with or without other respiratory pathogens. Prevention of introduction of M. bovis and biosecurity measures combined with optimisation of calf resilience should have priority.

Associations between Ultrasonographically Diagnosed Lung Lesions, Clinical Parameters and Treatment Frequency in Veal Calves in an Austrian Fattening Farm.

This study evaluated the significance and predictive value of ultrasonographic and physical examination on arrival at an Austrian fattening farm. Treatment frequency and average daily weight gain (ADG) were related to physical and ultrasonographic examination results. Additionally, the effect of an intranasal vaccination in half of the examined calves was studied. The clinical and ultrasonographic health status 600 calves was recorded at the beginning and end of fattening. Half of the calves received an intranasal vaccination (Bovalto® Respi Intranasal). Overall, 44.5% showed an abnormal respiratory scoring (RS) and 56.0% showed signs of respiratory diseases in transthoracic ultrasonography (TUS) at arrival on the farm. For both RS and TUS, a categorization between ILL and HEALTHY was conducted. Results showed lower ADG in ILL calves (RS median: 0.93 kg/d; TUS median: 0.96 kg/d) compared to HEALTHY calves (RS median: 1.01 kg/d; TUS median: 1.01 kg/d). The median ADG was lower in not treated and ILL calves (RS median 0.90 kg/d; TUS: 0.93 kg/d) compared to treated and ILL calves (RS median 1.01 kg/d; TUS: 1.02 kg/d). Vaccination did not affect growth performance or occurrence of ILL, though treatment frequency was lower in VAC calves (17.0% in NVAC; 11.3% in VAC). The implementation of examination protocols for respiratory diseases may have a positive impact on production parameters (e.g., treatment frequency and ADG).

Risk Factor Analysis for Occurrence of Linezolid-Resistant Bacteria in the Digestive and Respiratory Tract of Food-Producing Animals in Belgium: A Pilot Study.

Linezolid is a critically important antimicrobial used in human medicine. While linezolid is not licensed for food-producing animals, the veterinary use of other antimicrobials, such as phenicols (e.g., florfenicol), could cross/co-select for linezolid-resistant (LR) bacteria. Such LR strains pose a great concern for public health due to their potential transfer between animals and humans. This study explored possible associations between epidemiological risk factors, including phenicol use, and the occurrence of LR bacteria, such as enterococci and staphylococci, in poultry, pigs, and veal calves in Belgium. Florfenicol use significantly increased the likelihood of harboring LR bacteria in veal calves, sows, and fattening pigs, particularly for the digestive tract (odds ratio (OR): [3.19-5.29]) and the respiratory tract (OR: [6.11-9.09]). LR strains from feces from fattening pigs were significantly associated with production type (OR: [3.31-44.14]) and the presence of other animal species (OR: 0.41). The occurrence of LR strains in the respiratory tract from sows was also significantly associated with using antimicrobials other than florfenicol (OR: 10.07) and purchasing animals (OR: 7.28). Our study highlights the potential risks of using certain veterinary antimicrobials, such as florfenicol, in food-producing animals and emphasizes the need for responsible antimicrobial use to safeguard both animal and public health.

Livestock-associated spatial risk factors for human salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis.

Most human infections with non-typhoid Salmonella (NTS) or Campylobacter are zoonotic in nature and acquired though consumption of contaminated food of mainly animal origin. However, individuals may also acquire salmonellosis or campylobacteriosis through non-foodborne transmission pathways, such as those mediated by the environment. This emphasizes the need to consider both direct and indirect exposure to livestock sources as a possible transmission route for NTS and Campylobacter. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing whether salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis incidence is spatially associated with exposure to livestock (i.e. small ruminants, dairy cows, veal calves, laying hens, broiler chickens and pigs) in the Netherlands for the years 2007-2019 and 2014-2019 respectively. Risk factors (population-weighted number of animals) and their population attributable fractions were determined using a Poisson regression model with a log-link function fitted using integrated nested Laplace approximation. The analyses were performed for different hexagonal sizes (90, 50, 25 and 10 km2) and accounted for geographical coverage of the diagnostic laboratory catchment areas. Moreover, serological data were used to look into the possible effects of acquired immunity due to repeated exposure to the pathogen through the environment that would potentially hinder the analyses based on the incidence of reported cases. A linear mixed-effects model was then fitted where the postal code areas were included as a random effect. Livestock was not consistently significantly associated with acquiring salmonellosis or campylobacteriosis in the Netherlands. Results showed that living in livestock-rich areas in the Netherlands is not a consistently significant, spatially restricted risk factor for acquiring salmonellosis or campylobacteriosis, thereby supporting current knowledge that human infections with Salmonella and Campylobacter are mainly foodborne.

Evaluation of candidate data-based welfare indicators for veal calves in Switzerland.

Welfare assessment protocols have been developed for dairy cows and veal calves during the past decades. One practical use of such protocols may be conducting welfare assessments by using routinely collected digital data (i.e., data-based assessment). This approach can allow for continuous monitoring of animal welfare in a large number of farms. It recognises changes in the animal welfare status over time and enables comparison between farms. Since no comprehensive data-based assessment for veal calves is currently available, the purposes of this review are (i) to provide an overview of single existing data-based indicators for veal calves and (ii) to work out the necessary requirements for data-based indicators to be used in a comprehensive welfare assessment for veal calves in Switzerland. We used the Welfare Quality Protocol® (WQ) for veal calves and the Terrestrial Animal Health Code from the World Organisation of Animal Health for guidance throughout this process. Subsequently, routinely collected data were evaluated as data sources for welfare assessment in Swiss veal operations. The four WQ principles reflecting animal welfare, i.e., 'good feeding', 'good housing', 'good health' and 'appropriate behaviour' were scarcely reflected in routinely available data. Animal health, as one element of animal welfare, could be partially assessed using data-based indicators through evaluation of mortality, treatments, and carcass traits. No data-based indicators reflecting feeding, housing and animal behaviour were available. Thus, it is not possible to assess welfare in its multidimensionality using routinely collected digital data in Swiss veal calves to date. A major underlying difficulty is to differentiate between veal calves and other youngstock using routine data, since an identifying category for veal calves is missing in official Swiss databases. In order to infer animal welfare from routine data, adaptations of data collection strategies and animal identification are required. Data-based welfare assessment could then be used to complement on-farm assessments efficiently and, e.g., to attribute financial incentives for specifically high welfare standards accordingly.

Effects of liquid-based diets with breweries grains enriched with isolated starch and fish oil on veal quality

Since veal production has declined in the U.S., American veal producers are currently making efforts to implement new production standards to improve product quality and animal welfare. In this study, we hypothesized that diets containing brewery grains, starch and omega-3 fatty acids could lower a blood stress indicator and improve meat quality, mostly from a nutritional value stand point. Holstein bull calves with approximately 94.67 ± 12.07 kg of body weight and two months old were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments. Diets were formulated with nonmedicated milk replacer, microbreweries spent grains, and a mineral mix (CONTROL); CONTROL + isolated maize starch (STARCH); and CONTROL +3% fish oil (OMEGA-3). Veal calves fed all three diets were heavier than calves of the same age from experiments reported in the existing literature. Dietary treatments did not affect carcass weights, pH, color, moisture, sensory attributes, volatile profile, and fat quality indexes. Calves fed STARCH and OMEGA-3 showed the lowest levels of blood cortisol. Veal fed CONTROL and OMEGA-3 had higher concentrations of ΣMUFA when compared with STARCH. Veal fed OMEGA-3 had the highest concentrations of EPA, DHA, and Σn-3. Veal from all treatments had very high concentrations of ΣMUFA, mostly driven by high levels of c-9 18:1 n-9 from the milk replacer. Feeding OMEGA-3 lowered blood cortisol and increased levels of EPA and DHA without harming sensory attributes. Overall, including brewery grains, starch and fish oil in liquid diets containing milk replacer can improve veal production.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil obtained from the fruit of Carum carvi L. (caraway oil) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil obtained from the fruit of Carum carvi L. (caraway oil), when used as a sensory additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) Panel concluded that the use of caraway oil is of no concern up to the following concentrations in complete feed: 9 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, 13 mg/kg for laying hens, 12 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 16 mg/kg for piglets, 19 mg/kg for pigs for fattening, 24 mg/kg for sows, 35 mg/kg for veal calves (milk replacer), 11 mg/kg for cattle for fattening, 10 mg/kg for dairy cows, sheep, goats, horses and rabbits, 25 mg/kg for salmonids and dogs. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For cats, ornamental fish and other species, no conclusion can be drawn. The use of caraway oil in animal feed under the proposed conditions of use is safe for the consumer and the environment. The additive under assessment should be considered as an irritant to skin and eyes, and as a respiratory and skin sensitiser. When handling the essential oil, exposure of unprotected users to perillaldehyde may occur. Therefore, to reduce the risk, the exposure of the users should be minimised. Since C. carvi and its preparations were recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil obtained from the fruit of Apium graveolens L. (celery seed oil) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil obtained from the fruit of Apium graveolens L. (celery seed oil), when used as a sensory additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) Panel concluded that the use of celery seed oil is of no concern up to the following concentrations in complete feed: 1.6 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, 2.3 mg/kg for laying hens, 2.1 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 2.8 mg/kg for piglets, 3.3 mg/kg for pigs for fattening, 4.1 mg/kg for sows, 6.5 mg/kg for veal calves (milk replacer), 6.2 mg/kg for cattle for fattening, sheep, goats and horses, 4.0 mg/kg for dairy cows, 2.5 mg/kg for rabbits, 6.8 mg/kg for salmonids and 7.2 mg/kg for dogs. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For cats, ornamental fish and other species, no conclusion can be drawn. The use of celery seed oil in animals feed is not expected to pose concern for the consumers and for the environment. The additive under assessment should be considered as an irritant to skin and eyes, and as a respiratory and skin sensitiser. When handling the essential oil, exposure of unprotected users to perillaldehyde and bergapten may occur. Therefore, to reduce the risk, the exposure of the users should be minimised. Since A. graveolens and its preparations were recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

Comparing Occurrence of Bovine Respiratory Pathogens Detected by High-Throughput Real-Time PCR in Nasal Swabs and Non-Endoscopic Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples from Dairy and Veal Calves.

This study aimed to enhance our understanding of the agreement between two sampling methods for the detection of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) pathogens in calves using high-throughput real-time qPCR (ht-RT-qPCR). In total, 233 paired nasal swab (NS) and non-endoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (nBAL) samples were collected from 152 calves from 12 Danish cattle herds. In 202 of the observations, the calves were examined using a standardized clinical protocol. Samples were tested for three viruses (bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine corona virus, and influenza D virus) and six bacteria (Histophilus somni, Mannheimia haemolytica, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma species, Pasteurella multocida, and Truepurella pyogenes). The results showed age-related differences in disease and pathogen occurrence, with the highest detection rates in calves aged 35 days or older. Poor to moderate agreement was found between the NS and nBAL results. The presence of Mannheimia haemolytica in both NS and nBAL in younger calves and in nBAL in older calves was associated with clinical BRD. There was a potential link between BRD and influenza D virus in older calves, although it was only found in one herd in a small sample size. Overall, NS was a relatively poor predictor of pathogens in the lower respiratory tract. The present study confirms the complexity of pathogen detection in BRD, with marked influences of age and the sampling method on pathogen detection and disease associations.

Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolates from Intestinal Contents of Dairy and Veal Calves in the Veneto Region, Northeaster Italy.

This surveillance study aimed to estimate the proportion of antimicrobial resistant strains and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of E. coli isolates detected from the intestinal contents of veal and dairy calves in the Veneto Region, Northeaster Italy. Additionally, we investigated the differences in AMR profiles between dairy and veal calves over the period 2017-2022. Overall 1150 E. coli isolates were tested from calves exhibiting enteric disease, with 868 from dairy and 282 from veal calves. The percentage of resistant isolates to nine antimicrobials was notably higher in veal calves compared to dairy calves, except for ampicillin. Throughout the study period, we observed a significant increase in the proportion of resistant isolates to florfenicol, gentamycin, paromomycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in dairy calves, while we did not detect any significant increase in the proportion of resistant isolates among veal calves. A substantial proportion (75.9%) of the isolated E. coli exhibited multi-drug resistance (MDR). The proportion of multi-drug resistant isolates was significantly higher in veal calves (91.7%) compared to dairy calves (74.3%) all through the surveillance period (2017-2022), with no significant variation in MDR proportion among veal calves between 2017 and 2022 but a significant increase among dairy calves.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the leaves of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle (citronella oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of citronella oil obtained from the leaves of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle, when used as a sensory additive for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that citronella oil from C. nardus is of low concern for long-living and reproductive animals at the use levels in complete feed of 3.5 mg/kg for laying hens and rabbits, 6 mg/kg for sows and dairy cows, 9.5 mg/kg for sheep/goats and horses, 2.0 mg/kg for cats and 10 mg/kg for dogs. For short-living animals (species for fattening), the additive was considered of no concern at concentrations of 18 mg/kg in chickens for fattening, 24 mg/kg in turkeys for fattening, 20 mg/kg for piglets, pigs for fattening, veal calves (milk replacer), cattle for fattening, sheep/goats for meat production, horses for meat production and rabbits for meat production, and 30 mg/kg for salmonids. The conclusions were extrapolated to physiologically related minor species. For any other species, the additive is considered of low concern at 2.0 mg/kg complete feed. The use of citronella oil in animal feed is expected to be of no concern for the consumers and for the environment. The essential oil under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes and as a dermal sensitiser. When handling the essential oil, exposure of unprotected users to methyleugenol may occur. Therefore, to reduce the risk, the exposure of the users should be minimised. Since the leaves of C. nardus and its preparations were recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (eucalyptus tincture) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (eucalyptus tincture) when used as a sensory additive for all animal species. The product is a ■■■■■ solution, with a dry matter content of ~ 1.86%, which contains on average 0.454% phenolic acids and flavonoids (of which 0.280% was gallic acid), 0.0030% 1,8-cineole and 0.00012% methyleugenol. In the absence of analytical data on the occurrence of mono- or diformylated adducts of acylphloroglucinols with terpenes in the tincture and in the absence of toxicity data, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) could not conclude on the use of eucalyptus tincture for long-living and reproductive animals. For short-living animals (species for fattening), the additive was considered of no concern at 4 mg/kg complete feed for chickens for fattening, 5 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 6 mg/kg for piglets and rabbits for meat production, 7 mg/kg for pigs for fattening, 16 mg/kg for veal calves (milk replacer), 14 mg/kg for cattle for fattening, sheep/goats and horses for fattening, and 15 mg/kg for salmonids. These levels were extrapolated to physiologically related minor species. No safety concern would arise for the consumer from the use of eucalyptus tincture up to the levels in feed considered of no concern. Eucalyptus tincture should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. The use of eucalyptus tincture as a flavour in animal feed was not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Since the leaves of E. globulus and their preparations were recognised to flavour food and their function in feed would be essentially the same, no demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil obtained from the wood of Juniperus deppeana Steud. (cedarwood Texas oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil obtained from the wood of Juniperus deppeana Steud. (cedarwood Texas oil), when used as a sensory additive for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the essential oil under assessment is safe up to the maximum proposed use levels in complete feed of 15 mg/kg for veal calves (milk replacer), cattle for fattening, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, salmonids and ornamental fish. For the other species, the calculated safe concentrations in complete feed were 5 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, 8 mg/kg for laying hens, 7 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 10 mg/kg for piglets, 12 mg/kg for pigs for fattening, 14 mg/kg for sows and dairy cows, 8.5 mg/kg for rabbits and 4 mg/kg for cats. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For any other species, the additive was considered safe at 4 mg/kg complete feed. The use of cedarwood Texas oil in water for drinking was considered safe provided that the total daily intake of the additive does not exceed the daily amount that is considered safe when consumed via feed. No concerns for consumers and the environment were identified following the use of the additive up to the maximum proposed use level in feed. The additive under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Since the individual components of cedarwood Texas oil are recognised to flavour food and their function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

Antibiotic Resistance and Disinfectant Resistance Among Escherichia coli Isolated During Red Meat Production

Escherichia coli commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of food animals include Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC, stx+, eae-), Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC, stx+, eae+), Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC, stx-, eae+), and “nondiarrheagenic” E. coli (NDEC, stx-, eae-). EHEC, EPEC, and STEC are associated with foodborne disease outbreaks. During meat processing, disinfectants are employed to control various bacteria, including human pathogens. Concerns exist that E. coli resistant to antibiotics are less susceptible to disinfectants used during meat processing. Since EHEC, EPEC, and STEC with reduced susceptibility to disinfectants are potential public health risks, the goal of this study was to evaluate the association of antibiotic resistant (ABR) E. coli with increased tolerance to 4% lactic acid (LA) and 150 ppm quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). A pool of 3,367 E. coli isolated from beef cattle, veal calves, swine, and sheep at various processing stages was screened to identify ABR E. coli. Resistance to ≥1 of the six antibiotics examined was identified in 27.9%, 36.1%, 54.5%, and 28.7% among the NDEC (n = 579), EHEC (n = 693), EPEC (n = 787), and STEC (n = 1308) isolates evaluated, respectively. Disinfectant tolerance did not differ (P > 0.05) between ABR and antibiotic susceptible EHEC isolates. Comparable frequencies (P > 0.05) of biofilm formation or congo red binding were observed between ABR and antibiotic susceptible strains of E. coli. Understanding the frequencies of ABR and disinfectant tolerance among E. coli present in food-animal is a critically important component of meat safety.

Effects of transport age (14 versus 28 days of age) on blood total cholesterol, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations of veal calves

The main aim of the current study was to find biomarkers of health in calves transported at different ages. The selected blood parameters were total cholesterol, insulin, and IGF-1, and the longitudinal study investigated whether or not these concentrations were different between calves that were transported from the dairy farm to the veal farm at 14 or 28 d of age. Relationships between these blood variables and health characteristics of veal calves were investigated. In a 34-wk study period, a total of 683 calves originating from 13 Dutch dairy farms were transported at an age of 14 or 28 d to 8 Dutch veal farms. Calves were blood sampled the first week after birth (mean and SD: 4.4 ± 2.1 d), 1 d before transport (mean and SD: 25.8 ± 7.3 d), and in wk 2 post-transport (mean and SD: 36.7 ± 12.2 d). In these samples, insulin, IGF-1, and total cholesterol were determined and analyzed with a linear mixed model (LMM). Individual medical treatments were recorded from birth until the day of transport at the dairy farm, and from the moment of arrival at the veal farm until slaughter, and analyzed as a binary response variable (calf treated or not) with a generalized LMM. Fecal (calf with or without loose or liquid manure) and navel (calves with or without swollen and inflamed navel) scores measured during a single visit in wk 2 post-transport were also analyzed as binary response variables, whereas carcass weights at slaughter age were analyzed with a LMM. Cholesterol, insulin, and IGF-1 were included as covariates in the previous models to test their relationships with the likelihood of calves being medically treated, fecal and navel scores, and carcass weights. One day before transport 28-d-old calves had higher blood cholesterol (Δ = 0.40 mmol/L) and IGF-1 (Δ = 53.6 ng/mL) concentrations, and evidence of higher insulin (Δ = 12.2 µU/mL) compared with 14-d-old calves. In wk 2 post-transport, 28-d-old calves had higher blood IGF-1 (Δ = 21.1 ng/mL), with evidence of higher insulin (Δ = 12.2 µU/mL) concentrations compared with 14-d-old calves. Cholesterol concentration measured 1 d before transport and in wk 2 post-transport had a positive relationship with carcass weight at slaughter (regression coefficients [β] = 4.8 and 7.7 kg/mmol per liter, respectively). Blood cholesterol concentration in wk 2 post-transport was negatively associated with the fecal score measured at the same sampling moment (β = -0.55/mmol/L), with the likelihood of a calf of being treated with antibiotics (β = -0.36/mmol/L) and other medicines (β = -0.45/mmol/L) at the veal farm. Blood IGF-1 concentration in wk 2 post-transport was negatively associated with the likelihood of a calf of being treated with antibiotics and other medicines (both β = -0.01/ng/mL) at the veal farm, and with fecal score recorded in wk 2 post-transport (β = -0.004/ng/mL). When looking at the blood indicators, it appeared that calves transported at 28 d of age were more developed compared with 14-d-old calves, thus transport at an older age might be more beneficial for the animals. It can be concluded that both blood cholesterol and IGF-1 concentrations seemed to be valuable biomarkers of health and energy availability in veal calves.