| 1. |
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Alsanius, Beatrix, et al.
(författare)
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Green wheel : om målkonflikten rörande tunga batteridrivna vägtransporter och mikrobiella faror samt hållbarhet av bladgrönsaker
- 2022
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Rapport (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Låg självförsörjningsgrad, centralisering av marknaden, samt mycket varierande klimatförhållanden i Sverige som hindrar lokalproduktion av vegetabilier, detta är tre viktiga anledningar varför det svenska livsmedelssystemet är beroende av transporter. För att nå målet för ett "hållbart livsmedelssystem" måste transporter övergå till andra än fossila energikällor. Transporter av varor som är beroende av en kylkedja kräver inte bara energi för själva transporten, utan också för att hålla temperaturen på en nivå som inte äventyrar livsmedelssäkerhet och produktens hållbarhet. Maximitemperatur under transport av temperaturkänsliga matvaror har varit ett återkommande ämne i många brancher. I föreliggande rapport ställde vi oss frågan vilken betydelse temperaturskillnaden mellan 4 och 8 C under transport av bladgrönsaker har för tre mycket generaliserade körscenarion (200, 400 och 900 km) ur ett kvalitets- och livsmedelsäkerhetsperspektiv, med den psykrofila patogenen Listeria monocytogenes som modell. Studien utgår från två laddningskapaciteter för batterier (150 resp. 350 kW). Vi visar att laddningsinfrastrukturen är den mest avgörande faktorn som påverkar produkthållbarhet och livsmedelssäkerhet. Risk för nedsatt kvalitet och i synnerhet livsmedelsäkerhet ökar avsevärd med långa körtider vid en temperatur av 8 C i lastutrymmet.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Andersson, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Transport av dräktiga djur, transport av unga djur och åldersbestämning av foster
- 2023
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- De flesta lantbruksdjur transporteras endast enstaka gånger i livet och har därför sällan möjlighet att vänja sig vid transporter på ett sätt som skulle förebygga stress och bidra till en god transportupplevelse. Att skapa förutsättningar som minimerar påverkan på djuren och underlättar drivning av djuren är därför av stor vikt. Livdjurstransport eller transport till slakt kan vara en mycket stressfylld situation för djur. EFSA har under 2022 publicerat tre olika utlåtanden om transport av nötkreatur, små idisslare och gris. EFSA har i sina utlåtanden identifierat följande relevanta välfärdsrisker: social stress i samband med omgruppering, stress då djuren hanteras av ovarsamma människor eller av människor som de inte är vana vid, stress på grund av värme eller kyla, skador, rörelsestress (orsakat av fordonets rörelser), predationsstress (specifikt hos får som drivs med hund), hunger, törst, respiratoriska problem (specifikt hos nötkreatur), begränsade rörelsemöjligheter, svårigheter att vila och sensorisk överstimulering. Sammantaget kan dessa välfärdsrisker leda till ackumulerad och hög stress, rädsla, smärta, obehag och utmattning hos djuren.Nötkreatur, grisar och får är sociala djur som lätt stressas om de separeras från sin grupp. Att ta hänsyn till deras naturliga flockbeteende genom att t.ex. inte driva djur enskilt utan i grupp (undantag för vuxna handjur som ofta behöver hanteras enskilt) är därför viktigt både före, under och efter transport. Omgrupperingar och social stress riskerar att leda till aggressioner och oönskade beteenden då djuren kan komma att skada sig själva eller varandra.Djurs tidigare erfarenheter av att bli hanterade av människor påverkar deras upplevelse och stressnivå vid hantering i samband med transport. En mer vänlig hantering av djuren tidigt i livet kan underlätta hanteringen i samband med transport. Djurens rädsla utgör en välfärdsrisk, både för djuren själva och för den transportör som ska hantera dem. Utlastningsutrymmen och drivvägar behöver vara väl designade för att få ett bra flöde när djuren lastas respektive lastas av och den som hanterar djuren behöver ha god kunskap om djurens naturliga beteenden.Hunger och törst kan uppstå hos djur under tiden från lastning till transport och urlastning. Risken för att djuren ska uppleva hunger och törst ökar med längre transporttider. Unga djur har ett naturligt tätare födointag vilket man kan behöva ta hänsyn till vid transport genom att erbjuda djuren möjlighet att äta och dricka oftare än äldre djur. I nuläget finns det inga optimala lösningar på hur man ska kunna tillgodose behovet av vatten eller annan utfodring på transport då intaget även påverkas av stress och sociala faktorer utöver vana vid utrustningen.Djurtätheten på transportfordonet är en viktig faktor som påverkar djurens möjligheter att hålla balansen och att kunna ligga ned och vila, men även risken för skador och död. Behovet av att kunna ligga ned under transport ökar med transportens längd och huruvida djuren ligger ned är kopplat till vilket utrymme som ges, där större utrymme leder till att fler djur ligger ned.Sen dräktighet räknas som ett tillstånd då det inte är lämpligt att transportera ett djur eftersom transport under denna period kan leda till negativa konsekvenser för djurets välfärd och risker för avkomman. Dräktighet innebär ökad sårbarhet både fysiskt och fysiologiskt. För dräktiga djur innebär därför den stress som förflyttning, lastning, ny miljö, okända människor, rörlig och ostabil transport, transportfordonets förutsättningar, samt avsaknad av foder och vatten under längre perioder, en större påfrestning med en ökad risk för negativa konsekvenser, än för icke-dräktiga djur. Dräktiga djur har en ökad metabolism och värmeproduktion, framförallt under sen dräktighet, vilket gör dräktiga djur mer känsliga för värmestress än icke-dräktiga djur. Vidare blir fysisk ansträngning jobbigare för det dräktiga djuret beroende både på den ökade tyngden och dess påverkan på rörelseapparaten. Även cirkulationssystemet blir mer ansträngt med en förhöjd hjärtfrekvens som följd. Vid värmestress ökar dessutom andningsfrekvensen påtagligt.Kortisol har en viktig roll i slutet av dräktigheten och för att initiera förlossning. I slutet av dräktigheten stiger kortisolnivåerna i moderdjurets blod till följd av att fostrets kortisolproduktion ökar. Förhöjda kortisolnivåer till följd av stress och fysisk ansträngning i samband med lastning, hantering, omgruppering, transport och nya miljöer kan orsaka abort eller för tidig igångsättning av förlossningen. Flera studier visar att det även finns risker under andra delar av dräktigheten. Transport ökar till exempel risken för embryonala förluster under tidig dräktighet hos gris, framför allt under vecka två till fyra, vilket är en kortisolkänslig period. För nötkreatur finns det risk för embryonala förluster vid transporter under dräktighetens första två månader och studier på får har visat på negativa effekter på lamm och ökad risk för fosterdöd vid förhöjda kortisolnivåer hos tackan. Det finns även en risk för epigenetiska effekter hos fostren vid stress hos moderdjuret, vilka kan komma att påverka avkomman senare i livet.När hondjuren ökar i vikt genom fostertillväxt och ökad volym av fostervätskor, påverkas deras rörlighet och förmåga att hålla balansen vilket kan göra att både lastning och transport försvåras samt innebära en ökad risk för halkskador och fläkningsskador. Eventuella led- och klövproblem kan dessutom förvärras eller försvåra rörelsemöjligheterna, även om uppenbar hälta inte alltid kan ses. Den ökade storleken gör att dräktiga djur kräver större plats under transporten, både för att djuren i sig är större, men också för att de ska kunna parera rörelser och hålla balansen. Dräktiga grisar minskar sin aktivitetsnivå och har större behov av att ligga ned och vila vilket behöver tillgodoses under transport.I slutet av dräktigheten, oklart exakt när, sker en uppmjukning av vävnaderna i bäckenregionen vilket är mer påtagligt för nötkreatur än för små idisslare och suggor. Uppmjukningen kvarstår även en tid efter förlossningen. Uppmjukningen ger försämrad stabilitet vid rörelse, vilket innebär risker vid både lastning och transport. Det är därför viktigt att man tar hänsyn till detta och har god tidsmarginal vid transport av dräktiga eller nyförlösta djur, så att djuren inte riskerar att transporteras under den tid som bäckenet är instabilt.Den vetenskapliga evidensen för EU:s regel om 90 % av den förväntade dräktighetstiden som gräns för transport av dräktiga djur förefaller oklar. Rådet ställer sig bakom konklusionen i EFSA:s utlåtande om transport av nötkreatur, små idisslare och gris, om att vetenskapliga belägg för den exakta nu gällande gränsdragningen saknas, samtidigt som det är tydligt att långt gången dräktighet är en riskfaktor för negativ djurvälfärd under transport. I de aktuella utlåtandena finns dock flera studier citerade som visar på sårbarhet för de dräktiga djuren och deras foster under en period som i många fall är längre än de sista 10 % av dräktighetstiden samt att det finns en ökad sårbarhet även under andra delar av dräktigheten och att både moderdjur och foster kan påverkas negativt av att transporteras.Det finns risk för att den stress som en transport innebär kan leda till att det sent dräktiga djuret aborterar eller att förlossningen sätts igång under eller strax efter transport. Då det således föreligger risker för foster och moderdjur vid transport av dräktiga djur under stora delar av dräktighetsperioden anser Rådet att transport av dräktiga djur (nötkreatur, får och gris) om möjligt bör undvikas.Vid transport av unga kalvar, smågrisar och lamm måste hänsyn tas till flera faktorer, såsom ålder, immunförsvarets utveckling, djurens allmänna hälsostatus, huruvida djuren är avvanda eller inte, social stress, etc. Unga djur är generellt känsligare än vuxna djur, och påverkas än mer av att utsättas för hunger och törst, kalla och varma transporter, och begränsade möjligheter att vila under transport. Under perioden då det passiva immunförsvaret går ned samtidigt som det aktiva immunförsvaret är under uppbyggnad är djuren extra känsliga för infektioner.Hur väl ett ungt djur klarar en transport beror bl.a. på längden på transporten (ju längre transport desto större risk för djurens välfärd), samt djurets ålder och vikt. Tiden mellan två och fyra veckor är en känslig ålder för transport av kalvar. Enligt EFSA bör inte kalvar transporteras tidigare än vid fem veckors ålder och de bör väga minst 50 kg. För lamm rekommenderas att djuren transporteras först efter avvänjning. Vidare behöver hänsyn tas till djurens behov av foder och vatten, så att deras närings- samt vätskebehov tillgodoses. Hänsyn behöver även tas till på vilket sätt de är vana vid att inta foder och vatten, och om djuret hålls på liknande sätt i transporten som de är vana vid, exempelvis i samma grupp eller tillsammans med sin mamma. Det kan vara klokt att utfodra djuren innan transport för att minska risken för hunger under transporten. Vid mjölkgiva till kalv behöver tid ges för digestion innan transport för att minska risken för diarré.Icke avvanda djur upplever en större stress runt transport än avvanda djur (vid transport utan moderdjur) och det är därför bättre att företrädesvis transportera djuren efter avvänjning. Unga djur är heller inte motoriskt färdigutvecklade, vilket kan påverka deras balans under transport samt vid på- och avlastning. Yngre djur ligger ned oc
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| 7. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Guidance on the assessment criteria for studies evaluating the effectiveness of stunning interventions regarding animal protection at the time of killing
- 2013
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This guidance defines the assessment process and the criteria that will be applied by the Animal Health and Welfare Panel to studies on known new or modified legal stunning interventions to determine their suitability for further assessment. The criteria that need to be fulfilled are eligibility criteria, reporting quality criteria and methodological quality criteria. The eligibility criteria are based upon the legislation and previously published scientific data. They focus on the intervention and the outcomes of interest, i.e. immediate onset of unconsciousness and insensibility or absence of avoidable pain, distress and suffering until the loss of consciousness and sensibility, and duration of the unconsciousness and insensibility (until death). If a study fulfils the eligibility criteria, it will be assessed regarding a set of reporting quality criteria that are based on the REFLECT and the STROBE statements. As a final step in this first assessment phase, the methodological quality of the submitted study will be assessed. If the criteria regarding eligibility, reporting quality and methodological quality are fulfilled, a full assessment of the animal welfare implications of the proposed alternative stunning intervention, including both pre-stunning and stunning phases, and an evaluation of the quality, strength and external validity of the evidence presented would be carried out at the next level of the assessment. In the case that the criteria regarding eligibility and reporting quality and methodological quality are not fulfilled, the assessment report of the panel will highlight the shortcomings and indicate where improvements are required before the study can be assessed further. In addition to the assessment criteria, the guidance also specifies general aspects applicable to studies on stunning interventions that should be considered when studying the effectiveness of stunning interventions.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Oyster mortality
- 2015
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This updated scientific opinion on oyster mortality addresses 1) the role of ostreid herpesvirus (OsHV-1) in mortality, 2) evidence for a role of Vibrio aestuarianus in mortality, 3) effectiveness of water treatment in inactivating OsHV-1 and V. aestuarianus and 4) feasibility, availability and effectiveness of the disease prevention and control measures. A new pattern of mass mortality of Pacific oysters (C. gigas) was observed in France and other European countries from 2008 onwards. Similar outbreaks were reported in 2010-11 from Australia and New Zealand. Studies performed since 2010 has provided strong evidence that OsHV-1 µVar is causally linked to increased oyster spat mortality at sea water temperatures above 16 °C. V. aestuarianus subsp. francensis was detected in France in 2001 in moribund oysters; since then this bacterium has been regularly detected during oyster mortality events. Owing to a lack of information, the causal relationship between V.aestuarianus and oyster mortality has not been established. Discharge of untreated seawater from depuration plants remains a potential mode of transmission of diseases affecting bivalves and other marine life. Effective disinfection of seawater effluent from depuration and holding facilities will minimize the risk of transmission of infectious agents. Unrestricted movement of oysters is associated with a high risk of spread of OsHV-1. Wild populations of C. gigas also contribute to spread of OsHV-1. Only a few areas in Europe continue to remain free from OsHV-1. Once infected, an area is not likely to regain freedom from OsHV-1 if a wild population of C. gigas is present. Almost all OsHV-1 strains isolated after 2008 conform to the definition of microvariants. Therefore, it appears unnecessary to maintain a separate definition of microvariants for disease control purposes. The criteria in Directive 2006/88/EC for listing of non-exotic diseases are currently not fulfilled for mortality caused by OsHV-1 microvariants.
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| 10. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific opinion concerning a multifactorial approach on the use of animal and non-animal-based measures to assess the welfare of pigs
- 2014
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pigs have a need for manipulable materials to satisfy a range of behavioural needs, which can be different in different classes of pig. When these needs are not met, a range of adverse welfare consequences result, one of these being an increased risk for tail-biting in weaners and rearing pigs. The ability to control the risk of tailbiting is essential when aiming to avoid tail-docking. Based on available scientific information this Opinion identifies the multiple interactions between risk factors, welfare consequences and animal and non-animal-based measures on the two subjects requested (i) the absence of functional manipulable materials, for pigs at different stages in life and (ii) tail-biting, for weaners and rearing pigs only. An attempt is made to quantify the relationships between the identified interactions by carrying out a statistical analysis of information from available databases, those being an international dataset collected using the Welfare Quality® protocol, which was not designed to evaluate risk factors for tail-biting and therefore, it had limitations in fitness for this analysis, and a large Finnish dataset with undocked pigs. Based on the current state of knowledge, the AHAW Panel proposes two simple tool-boxes for on farm use to assess (i) the functionality of the supplied manipulable material and (ii) the presence and strength of risk factors for tail biting. Both proposed tool-boxes include a combination of the most important resource-based and animal-based measures. Further development and validation of decision–support tools for customised farm assessment is strongly recommended and a proposal for harmonised data collection across the range of European farming circumstances is presented. A series of further recommendations are made by the AHAW Panel.
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| 11. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on African swine fever
- 2014
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The risk for endemicity of ASF in the eastern neighbouring countries of the EU and spread of ASFV to unaffected areas was updated until 31/01/2014. The assessment was based on a literature review and expert knowledge elicitation. The risk that ASF is endemic in Georgia, Armenia and the Russian Federation has increased from moderate to high, particularly due to challenges in outbreak control in the backyard production sector. The risk that ASFV will spread further into unaffected areas from these countries, mainly through movement of contaminated pork, infected pigs or contaminated vehicles, has remained high. In Ukraine and Belarus, the risk for ASF endemicity was considered moderate. Although only few outbreaks have been reported, which have been stamped out, only limited activities are ongoing to facilitate early detection of secondary spread. Further, there is a continuous risk of ASFV re-introduction from the Russian Federation, due to transboundary movements of people, pork or infected wild boar. The number of backyard farms is greatest in the west of Ukraine and westwards spread of ASFV could result in an infected area near the EU border, difficult to control. In Georgia, Armenia and the Russian Federation, the risk for endemicity of ASF in the wild boar population is considered moderate, mainly due to spill-over from the domestic pig population, whereas in Ukraine and Belarus this was considered to be low. In those areas in the Russian Federation where wild boar density is high, this risk may be higher. Intensive hunting pressure in affected wild boar populations may increase the risk for spread, possibly with severe implications across international borders. The risk for different matrices to be infected/contaminated and maintain infectious ASFV at the moment of transportation into the EU was assessed and ranged from very high for frozen meat, to very low for crops.
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| 12. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on canine leishmaniosis
- 2015
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This Scientific Opinion presents a characterisation of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) in Europe and its potential for spreading. The efficacy of available preventative measures to protect dogs against CanL was assessed, with the objective of mitigating the probability of introduction of CanL into free areas in the European Union through movement of infected dogs. Several systematic reviews (SRs) of literature were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines, topically applied insecticides and prophylactic medication. Additionally, SRs on the sensitivity of diagnostic tests and treatment efficacy were carried out to evaluate the possibility of testing and excluding or treating infected dogs to mitigate the risk of introduction into free areas. The probability of introduction and establishment of CanL in a non-endemic region with competent sandflies was estimated, using a stochastic simulation model. The probability of establishment defined as the local transmission of L. infantum from vector to host and vice versa, was very high. The most effective mitigation measure to reduce the probability of introduction and establishment of CanL was topically applied insecticide. Vaccination had only limited effect on the probability of establishment in a non-endemic region. Testing dogs before their introduction into a non-endemic area is of limited value if applied too soon after exposure to infected sandflies, because it takes several months to obtain a positive result after exposure. Test and treatment in the endemic area, prior to movement into a non-endemic area, does not appear to be an efficient and realistic option to mitigate the probability of introduction of CanL, as no treatment against CanL can guarantee to prevent future transmission. It was concluded that the main limitation to CanL spread is represented by the vectors. This reinforces the need for knowledge on the vectorial competence, distribution and abundance of potential vectors of CanL in the EU.
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| 13. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific opinion on electrical requirements for poultry waterbath stunning equipment
- 2014
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The European Commission (EC) requested that the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW Panel) delivers a scientific opinion on a study that proposes parameters for poultry electrical waterbath stunning different to those laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing. The submitted study reports upon the use (mean + SD) of a current of 104.00 ± 3.88 mA, a voltage of 125.86 ± 3.28 V and a frequency of 589.78 ± 0.63 Hz using a square wave in alternating current (AC) with a 50 % duty cycle. These conditions were applied for 15 seconds to chickens under laboratory and slaughterhouse conditions. The submitted study was peer-reviewed by the AHAW Panel in the manner detailed in its ‘Guidance on the assessment criteria for studies evaluating the effectiveness of stunning intervention regarding animal protection at the time of killing'. The methodology and the data reported do not provide conclusive evidence that the combination of the proposed electrical frequency and current induced unconsciousness without exposing the chickens to avoidable pain and suffering. Further, some chickens did not remain unconscious for a sufficient time to prevent avoidable pain and suffering during slaughter. Because the information provided in the study was incomplete and insufficient, it did not pass the eligibility phase of the assessment. In the context of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, and current scientific evidence, a frequency of 600 Hz with a current of 104 mA does not result in efficient stunning of poultry. Therefore, additional research into these stunning parameters is not recommended.
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| 14. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on field trials for bovine tuberculosis vaccination
- 2013
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The opinion provides advice relating to the design of field trials to test the performance of a vaccine for bovine tuberculosis (bTB), along with a test to Detect Infected among Vaccinated Animals (DIVA). The objective of cattle vaccination is to use the vaccine in combination with presently applied control measures within the EU as an aid towards bTB eradication. The ideal field trials for the DIVA test will follow the OIE guidelines for test validation. Any deviations from the ideal trial design in relation to DIVA test performance should be justified, and the bias that may subsequently be introduced should be accounted for. The ideal field trial design for vaccination performance should implement a double-blind randomised test scenario, and allow for known risk factors in the field situation. Any deviations from the ideal trial design in relation to vaccine performance should also be justified and bias that may subsequently be introduced should be accounted for. Relevant risk factors and possible confounders that should be taken into consideration in the design of field trials are described in this opinion. The safety of a candidate vaccine is guaranteed in the registration of a vaccine medication by a competent authority. The field trials will need to fulfil these requirements to prove that the use of this vaccine in the field is safe for both public health and the environment. Some additional remarks regarding the safety of this specific vaccine are included in this opinion.
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| 15. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on infectious salmon anaemia (ISA)
- 2012
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Atlantic salmon is the only species in which the disease infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) has been observed naturally. Initial reports of findings of infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) before 2002, did not distinguish between non virulent HPR0 and virulent HPRΔ viruses, thus making interpretation of older findings difficult in the light of current knowledge. Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the relationship between HPR0 and HPRΔ, the risk of HPRΔ ISAV emerging from HPR0 ISAV, and possible risk factors for such an emergence. HPR0 ISAV does not cause clinical disease in Atlantic salmon; however, it causes a transient subclinical infection and replicates mainly in gills. There is no evidence for HPR0 ISAV leading to natural infection and replication in fish species other than Atlantic salmon. Virulent ISAV have deletions in the HPR region of the HE gene and they have either an insertion or the Q266L mutation in the F gene. The most plausible hypothesis is that virulent ISAV (HPRΔ) is derived from HPR0 ISAV. This is further supported by the close association between the genetic relatedness and spatio-temporal distances of virus strains in solitary outbreaks. Epidemiological and historical data from solitary disease outbreaks indicates that the risk of HPRΔ ISAV emerging from HPR0 is low, but not negligible. The risk factors for HPRΔ emergence from HPR0 are unknown. Nevertheless, any factor that affects virus replication or host susceptibility could possibly influence the risk of emergence. More research is needed on the drivers for transition from HPR0 to HPRΔ and factors affecting host susceptibility and thereby emergence of clinical disease. A quantitative assessment of the different evolutionary forces for ISA would be useful, as well as the prevalence of ISAV HPR0 in farmed and wild Atlantic salmon.
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| 16. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific opinion on lumpy skin disease
- 2015
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease of cattle characterised by severe losses, especially in naive animals. LSD is endemic in many African and Asian countries, and it is rapidly spreading throughout the Middle East, including Turkey. LSD is transmitted by mechanical vectors, but direct/indirect transmission may occur. The disease would mainly be transferred to infection-free areas by transport of infected animals and vectors. In the EU, it could only happen through illegal transport of animals. The risk for that depends on the prevalence in the country of origin and the number of animals illegally moved. Based on a model to simulate LSD spread between farms, culling animals with generalised clinical signs seems to be sufficient to contain 90 % of epidemics around the initial site of incursion, but the remaining 10 % of simulated epidemics can spread up to 400 km from the site of introduction by six months after incursion. Whole-herd culling of infected farms substantially reduces the spread of LSD virus, and the more rapidly farms are detected and culled, the greater the magnitude of the reduction is. Only live attenuated vaccines against LSD are available. Homologous vaccines are more effective than sheep pox strain vaccines. The safety of the vaccines should be improved and the development of vaccines for differentiating between infected and vaccinated animals is recommended. Epidemics are not self-limiting when effective vaccination or culling are not applied. Active surveillance, rapid detection and prompt culling of infected herds are effective measures for LSD control. The role of vectors for LSD transmission should be further investigated in both controlled environments and the field. Awareness-raising campaigns for farmers and veterinary staff to promote recognition of LSD should be considered. The cooperation of the EU with neighbouring countries should be encouraged to prevent transboundary disease spread.
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| 17. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific opinion on monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for bovines
- 2013
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 11(12)
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators for developing monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for bovines stunned with penetrative captive bolt or slaughtered without stunning. In particular, the opinion proposes welfare indicators together with their corresponding outcomes of consciousness, unconsciousness or death. In the case of slaughter with captive bolt stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators and the outcomes to be used to assess consciousness in bovine animals at three key stages of monitoring: (a) after stunning and during shackling and hoisting; (b) during neck cutting or sticking; and (c) during bleeding. For slaughter of bovines without stunning, a set of indicators and outcomes are proposed in another toolbox to be used for (a) assessing unconsciousness, before releasing bovines from restraint; and (b) confirming death before carcass dressing begins. Various activities-including a systematic literature review, an online survey and stakeholders' and hearing experts' meetings-were conducted to gather information about the specificity, sensitivity and feasibility of the indicators that can be included in the toolboxes. The frequency of checking differs according to the role of each person responsible for ensuring animal welfare. Personnel performing stunning, shackling, hoisting and/or bleeding will have to check all the animals and confirm that they are not conscious following stunning or before release from the restraint. For the animal welfare officer, who has the overall responsibility for animal welfare, a mathematical model for the sampling protocols is proposed, giving some allowance to set the sample size of animals that he/she needs to check at a given throughput rate (total number of animals slaughtered in the slaughterhouse) and tolerance level (number of potential failures). Finally, different risk factors and scenarios are proposed to define a ‘normal' or a ‘reinforced' monitoring protocol, according to the needs of the slaughterhouse.
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| 18. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for pigs
- 2013
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 11, s. 1831-4732
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators for developing monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for pigs stunned with the head-only electrical method or carbon dioxide at high concentration. In particular, the opinion proposes welfare indicators together with their corresponding outcomes of consciousness, unconsciousness or death. The opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators and the outcomes to be used to assess consciousness in pigs at three key stages of monitoring: (a) after stunning and during shackling and hoisting, (b) during sticking and (c) during bleeding. Various activities-including a systematic literature review, an online survey and stakeholders' and hearing experts' meetings-were conducted to gather information about specificity, sensitivity and feasibility of the indicators that are to be included in the toolboxes for monitoring welfare. On the basis of information gathered during these activities, a methodology was developed to select the most appropriate indicators that could be used in the monitoring procedures. The frequency of checking differs according to the role of each person with responsibility for ensuring animal welfare at slaughter. The personnel performing stunning, shackling, hoisting and/or bleeding will have to check all the animals and confirm that they are not conscious following stunning. For the animal welfare officer, who has the overall responsibility for animal welfare, a mathematical model for the sampling protocols is proposed, giving some allowance to set the sample size of animals that he/she needs to check at a given throughput rate (total number of animals slaughtered in the slaughterhouses) and tolerance level (number of potential failures-animals that are conscious after stunning; animals that are not unconscious or not dead after slaughter without stunning). The model can also be applied to estimate threshold failure rate at a chosen throughput rate and sample size. Finally, different risk factors and scenarios are proposed to define a ‘normal' or a ‘reinforced' monitoring protocol, according to the needs of the slaughterhouse.
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| 19. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for poultry
- 2013
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators, and their corresponding outcomes of consciousness, unconsciousness or death, for developing monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for poultry stunned using electrical waterbaths and gas mixtures or slaughtered without stunning. For waterbath stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators for assessing consciousness in poultry at two key stages of monitoring: (a) between the exit from the waterbath stunner and neck cutting and (b) during bleeding. For gas stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox of indicators for assessing consciousness in poultry at two key stages of monitoring: (a) during shackling and (b) during bleeding. For slaughter without stunning, a toolbox is proposed for confirming death prior to entering scald tanks. Various activities-including a systematic literature review, an online survey and stakeholders' and hearing experts' meetings-were conducted to gather information about the specificity, sensitivity and feasibility of the indicators. On the basis of such information, a methodology was developed to select the most appropriate indicators to be used in the monitoring procedures. The frequency of checking differs according to the role of each person with responsibility for ensuring poultry welfare. The personnel will have to check all the birds and confirm that they are not conscious following stunning with electrical waterbaths or gas mixtures and that they are dead before entering scald tanks. For the animal welfare officer, a mathematical model for the sampling protocols is proposed, giving some allowance to set the sample size of birds that he/she needs to check at a given throughput rate (total number of birds slaughtered in the slaughterhouses) and threshold failure rate (number of potential failures-birds that are conscious after stunning). Finally, different risk factors and scenarios are proposed to define a ‘normal' or a ‘reinforced' monitoring protocol, according to the needs of the slaughterhouse.
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| 20. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for sheep and goats
- 2013
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This scientific opinion proposes toolboxes of welfare indicators for developing monitoring procedures at slaughterhouses for sheep and goats stunned with the head-only electrical method or slaughtered without stunning. In particular, the opinion proposes welfare indicators together with their corresponding outcomes of consciousness, unconsciousness or death. In the case of slaughter with head-only electrical stunning, the opinion proposes a toolbox to assess consciousness at three key stages of monitoring: (a) after electrical stunning and during shackling and hoisting, (b) during neck cutting and (c) during bleeding. For slaughter without stunning, another toolbox is proposed for (a) assessing unconsciousness before releasing the animals from restraint, and (b) confirming death before carcass dressing begins. Various activities-including a systematic literature review, an online survey and stakeholders' and hearing experts' meetings-were conducted to gather information about the sensitivity, specificity and feasibility of the indicators. On the basis of such information, a methodology was developed to select the most appropriate indicators to be used in the monitoring procedures. The frequency of checking differs according to the role of each person with responsibility for ensuring animal welfare. The personnel performing stunning, shackling, hoisting and/or bleeding will have to check all the animals and confirm that they are not conscious following stunning or before releasing from the restraint. For the animal welfare officer, who has the overall responsibility for animal welfare, a mathematical model for the sampling protocols is proposed, giving some allowance to set the sample size of animals to be checked at a given throughput rate (total number of animals slaughtered in the slaughterhouses) and threshold failure rate (number of potential failures-proportion of animals that are conscious after stunning). Finally, different risk factors and scenarios are proposed to define a ‘normal' or a ‘reinforced' monitoring protocol, according to the needs of the slaughterhouse.
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| 21. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on peste des petits ruminants
- 2015
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a severe viral disease of small ruminants caused by a Morbillivirus closely related to rinderpest virus. It is widespread in Africa and Asia and is currently also found in Turkey and Northern Africa. PPR is transmitted via direct contact, and the disease would mainly be transferred to infection-free areas by transport of infected animals. In the EU, it could only happen through illegal transport of animals. The risk of that depends on the prevalence in the country of origin and the number of animals illegally moved. The extent of the spread would depend mainly on the time during which it is undetected, the farm density, the frequency and distance of travel of animals. PPR has a high within-herd transmission rate, therefore contacts between flocks, e.g. through common grazing areas, should be avoided when PPR is present. If PPR enters EU areas with dense sheep population but low goat density, it may spread rapidly undetected, since goats are considered more susceptible than sheep. Effective measures in limiting the spread of PPR in the EU include prompt culling of infected herds, rapid detection, movement restriction, and disinfection. Live attenuated vaccines against PPR are available, safe and effective, and have been successfully used to control PPR epidemics, but no method exists for differentiating between infected and vaccinated animals; therefore, the development of one is recommended. Awareness-raising campaigns for farmers and veterinary staff to promote recognition of the disease should be considered. The cooperation of the EU with neighbouring countries should be encouraged to prevent the spread of PPR and other transboundary diseases.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on Review of the European Union Summary Report on trends and sources of zoonoses, zoonotic agents and food-borne outbreaks—Terms of reference 2 to 7
- 2013
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated the European Union Summary Report on Trends and Sources of Zoonoses, Zoonotic Agents and Food-borne Outbreaks by EFSA and ECDC (the report) with regard to data needs and subsequent analyses that will minimise the impact of existing data gaps and inconsistencies. Specific assessments performed for bovine tuberculosis, echinococcosis, Q fever, brucellosis, rabies, cysticercosis and tularaemia show that the report gives an accurate picture of the epidemiological situation for the infections which have an EU harmonised monitoring system. Generally the data analysis is descriptive; further analysis for specific purposes and quantification of the trends should be considered. Specific information for each disease should contain (i) a clear case definition, (ii) a clear description of sampling techniques and diagnostic tests used, (iii) relevant epidemiological characteristics and (iv) relevant control measures or surveillance. Prioritisation of diseases from a public health viewpoint is not in the remit of the AHAW Panel. Proposed criteria to assess the value of including additional diseases in the report are (1) the disease is reported regularly in animals and humans in some EU Member States; (2) the disease is considered a serious public health issue; and (3) monitoring in animals is epidemiologically justifiable. The first two criteria are inclusion criteria; the third is used to prioritise diseases for inclusion in the report. The last section of the opinion addresses the value of the data included in the report for AHAW risk assessment. Their usefulness is often compromised by missing case definition, insufficient metadata or outdated data. It is recommended that data needs are further analysed to improve the preparedness of the AHAW Panel to answer risk questions, via some readily available and stable data as well as good knowledge of ad-hoc data models and sources throughout the EU.
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| 24. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific Opinion on Rift Valley fever
- 2013
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Based on a comprehensive review of literature and OIE (World Animal Health Organisation) outbreak reports, this scientific opinion reports, first, that there is no evidence that Rift Valley fever (RVF) has spread to previously uninfected countries during the past 10 years. Nevertheless, RVF has moved north within Mauritania, in a desert area. Secondly, maps of Europe and the southern Mediterranean Basin are provided, displaying the geographic distribution of the reported presence of nine potentially competent Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) vectors of the region, based on a systematic literature review. From environmental and eco-climatic data, predicted presence maps were generated that suggest the suitability of several parts of Europe and the southern Mediterranean Basin for these potentially competent RVFV vectors. Thirdly, to assess the risk of introduction of RVFV into some designated countries in the southern Mediterranean Basin (hereafter defined as the region concerned, RC), especially through the movements of live animals and vectors, a quantitative model was constructed and model parameters were derived based on expert knowledge elicitation (EKE). The EKE model indicates that some hundreds of RVFV-infected animals will be moved into the RC when an epidemic in the source areas occurs. The risk of RVFV entering the RC through the movement of vectors is expected to be small in comparison with the risk of entry through infected animals. Because of a lack of quantitative information on the seasonality of vector abundance and vertical transmission of RVFV within local vector species, the risk of endemicity could not be assessed. However, based on the abundance of the vector Culex pipiens, the livestock densities and the temperature in the region, there is a potential for the occurrence of RVF spread in the coastal areas of the RC.
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| 25. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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Scientific opinion on sheep and goat pox
- 2014
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Ingår i: EFSA Journal. - : Wiley. - 1831-4732. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sheep pox (SPP) and goat pox (GTP) are viral diseases of sheep and goats characterised by severe losses, especially in naive animals. SPP and GTP are endemic in many African, Middle Eastern and Asian countries, with recurrent epidemics in Greece and Bulgaria, as in 2013–2014. The main mode of SPP/GTP transmission is direct contact between animals, but, since the virus can survive in the environment, indirect transmission may also occur through fomites such as human movement, vehicles, wildlife and trade of hides when insufficiently treated. According to a model developed to evaluate the spread of SPP, the probability of spread of the infection in south-eastern Europe is <1 %, while, if introduced in the Iberian Peninsula, the probability that SPP would spread is more than 50 %. The long-term survival of the SPP virus in the environment enhances the likelihood of SPP endemicity; however, this can be reduced by extensive cleaning and disinfection, and with a waiting period before re-stocking culled herds. Early detection and notification, prompt movement restriction of animals, an extension of duration and size of the protection zone and culling affected herds, based on clinical signs, are effective and time-saving control measures recommended by the AHAW Panel. Only live attenuated vaccines are available for SPP/GTP, which are not licensed within the EU and without principle for differentiating infected from vaccinated animals. The AHAW Panel recommends further investigation of potential SPP/GTP transmission through arthropods and wildlife, the survival of SPP/GTP viruses in grazing sites and in animal feed and hides and the development of inactivated vaccines. Sentinel animals could be used prior to re-stocking culled herds. Awareness-raising campaigns for farmers and veterinary staff to promote recognition of the disease should be considered. The cooperation of EU with neighbouring countries should be encouraged to prevent transboundary disease spread.
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