UK Publicly Funded Research Relating to the Transmission of Pathogens from Farm and Abattoir Waste to the Food Supply Chain and its Impact on the Microbiological Safety of Food

Tuesday 19 September 2006

A new report in a series providing an overview of publicly funded research relating to the microbiological safety of food has been produced by the Microbiological Safety of Food Funders group (MSFFG).

The new report was published in September 2006 and reviews publicly funded research related to the transmission of pathogens from farm and abattoir waste to the food supply chain and its impact on the microbiological safety of food. This report comprises research funded by the MSFFG member organisations, and covers a total of 32 projects between 1990 and 2006.

Biological waste from farms and abattoirs in the form of manure and slurries (liquid wastes) have been used for many years, both as a method for disposal and as a route for providing nutrients to the land. If these waste materials contain microbial pathogens which cause human disease, it is possible that the pathogens could be transferred to humans. The highest risk of this happening is through ready-to-eat crops such as salad vegetables. However, it may also be possible for animals to become infected, or other vegetable crops to be contaminated.

Concern that this is the case has led to research to examine whether it is possible for pathogens to be transmitted to animals and other foods in this manner. Whilst it has been found that this is the case, further research has identified a number of ways in which the levels of pathogens can be reduced, or eliminated from the waste. This research has been used to support the development of the FSA Guidelines Managing Farm Manures for Food Safety, which will be published later in 2006.

The MSFFG is a cross-representational body involving bodies who fund microbiological research in the area of food safety. Membership includes representatives from the Food Standards Agency, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland, the Environment Agency, the Food Safety Promotion Board, the Health Protection Agency, the Meat and Livestock Commission, the Medical Research Council, the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department Science and Research Group and the Scottish Executive Department of Health. The Group�s terms of reference are:

�To assist the co-ordination of publicly funded research and development on the microbiological safety of the food chain with a view to informing the research and development effort, identifying gaps and overlaps, and providing reports as appropriate.�