15: Food Animal Care, Welfare, and Quality Control

describe APHIS

-branch of USA to protect U.S animal/plant/agriculture health

-focus on U.S borders from invasive species and overseeing welfare regulations

APHIS responsibilities

1. animal health

2. plant health

3. wildlife species

4. biotech regulation

describe APHIS animal health

Monitoring, surveillance, management of dz

describe APHIS plant health

protect crops from destructive pests and ensure safe trade in plants

describe APHIS wildlife services

resolving wildlife conflicts, managing wildlife damage

describe APHIS biotech regulation

oversee field trials and commercialization of genetically engineered organisms

example of surveillance / monitoring programs for animal disease preparedness

tracking diseases like foot and mouth, brucellosis, TB

example of emergency response for animal disease preparedness

coordinating rapid response if a high consequence disease outbreak occurs

describe the national vet stockpile

stockpile of vaccines and critical supplies to manage major animal dz outbreaks

import/export requirement examples

enforce quarantines, health certificates, testing protocols to prevent cross boarder disease spread

describe accreditation in terms of compliance

work w accredited vets and producers to maintain compliance w trade partner requirements

what does animal welfare enforcement entail

overseeing transport/handling/care of certain animals (research or exhibition)

what are veterinarian’s role in APHIS

1. accredited vet activities like issuing health certificates, assisting w import/export compliance

2. disease eradication & control by implementing vaccination/emergency response teams

3. program collaboration by consulting w APHIS

describe the FSIS

-public health agency under USDA responsible for ensuring safe and correctly labeled meat/poultry/egg products

-operates under fed meat/poultry/egg inspection acts

FSIS responsibilities

1. inspection and enforcement

2. regulatory oversight

3. consumer protection

the meat and poultry inspection process includes what 3 steps

1. ante-mortem inspection

2. post-mortem inspection

3. hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP)

whos responsible for ensuring recalls are put out

FSIS

describe FSIS compliance investigations

investigates facilities for non compliance w inspection and labeling law protocols

describe FSIS recalls

coordinates voluntary and mandatory recalls

FSIS industry/consumer eradication

provides materials on safe food handling, cross contamination, prevention, and proper cooking guidelines

veternarians’s role in FSIS

inspector in charge

public health expertise

policy and guidance

what is beef quality assurance (BQA)

voluntary farmer led program that promotes good management practices to ensure safe beef and animal care

-must pass exam and renew every 3 years

describe low stress handling

• use flight zones

• approach slowly

• walk behind point of balance aka shoulder

describe facility design

well designed chutes, curved alleyways, non slip flooring

describe temp conditions

work cattle during cooler parts of day to prevent heat stress, add windbreaks and bedding

importance of biosecurity

-minimize infection spread and protects herd/the public

key practices of biosecurity

1. quarantine for 21-30 days

2. maintain separate equipment for feeding and manute handling

3. work with a vet

4. clean and infect properly

describe BCS

target 5-6 for cows

4 underfeeding

7 over conditioning

Describe feed and water management

provide balanced rations, test for molk

ensure water sources dont have manure runoff

environmental considerations

-manage stocking rates to avoid overgrazing and dispose of mortalities in an approved way

what does herd health management entail

-VCPR

-Herd health planning

-Antimicrobial use checklist

BQA guidelines of needles: appropriate gauge and length

IM/SubQ = 16-18 g common

smaller for calves

BQA guidelines of needles: limit volume per site

no more than 10 cc per injection site in the neck

BQA guidelines of needles: change freq

change needs if bent or 10-15 uses

BQA guidelines of needles: injection techniques

use subQ when possible to prevent muscle damange

types of record keeping: health records

tx vaccination dates, withdrawal times

types of record keeping: feed records

invoices, lot numbers

types of record keeping: chemical records

pesticide use and disposal tags

whats residue avoidance

clearly mark treated cattle and re-check withdrawal intervals before marketing

guidelines for humane euth

gunshot or captive bolt w secondary step if needed

-aim for intersection of lines from outside eye to base of opposite horn

-confirm death by checking absence of corneal reflex, heartbeat, breathing

appropriate loading & unloading

keep ramps at appropriate slopes, use quiet handling methods

appropriate fitness for transport

-do not transport severely ill cattle

-special provisions for late gestation animals

on the road safety

plan routes around weather

monitor for driver fatigue

Vet’s role in BQA: protocol development

-collab w producer to create herd health plans

-train farm personal on low stress handling / injections / biosecurity

Vet’s role in BQA: monitoring and auditing

review tx records

conduct regular herd health evals

Vet’s role in BQA: continuous improvement

update on new research

be a source of best practice rules

whats the FARM program

farmers assuring responsible management

voluntary

enforces best practices in dairy production

what are the 4 reasons why the FARM program matters

1. consumer confidence

2. uniform standards

3. regulatory alignment

4. market access

what are the core components of the farm program

1. animal care

2. antibiotic stewardship

3. environmental stewardship

4. workforce development

roles of vets in FARM

protocol development, employee training, record monitoring, welfare assessments

describe self assessment and eduaction

producers and farm staff assess their practices using FARM guidelines

describe 2nd party evaluators

verification of records, protocols, and animal observations

describe 3rd party verification

independent audits to confirm compliance and maintain program integrity wh

why are reduced liability & risks important

safe practices mitigate legal and consumer concerns. ensure proper documentation is done as well

how does HARM improve reputation

-farms can market their products as ethically and sustainably produced

-helps boost employee morale

whats PQA plus

voluntary produced led program for safe pork production and animal well being

built on GPPs

who benefits from PQA plus

producers- gain standardized protocols and consumer trust

consumers- receive safe wholesome pork backed by responsible practices

4 core goals of PQA plus

1. food safety

2. animal well being

3. public health

4. industry reputation and confidence

PQA “we care” ethical principles include

food safety, animal well being, public health, our people, environment, community

what are the GPP (good production practices)

1. establish and maintain herd health plan

2. use meds correctly and record use

3. provide proper housing and handling

4. ensure feed quality and safety

how does PQA plus affect producers?

standardized best practices, risk reduction, market access, consumer trust, operation efficiency

biggest plus to consumers of PQA plus

transparency and trust of getting safe products

program components of PQA plus

certification, site assessment, continual edu, renewal