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A Systematic Review on the Effectiveness of Pre-Harvest Meat Safety Interventions in Pig Herds to Control Salmonella and Other Foodborne Pathogens

This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of pre-harvest interventions to control the main foodborne pathogens in pork in the European Union. A total of 1180 studies were retrieved from PubMed® and Web of Science for 15 pathogens identified as relevant in EFSA's scientific opinion on the public health hazards related to pork (2011). The study selection focused on controlled studies where a cause-effect could be attributed to the interventions tested, and their effectiveness could be inferred. Altogether, 52 studies published from 1983 to 2020 regarding Campylobacter spp., Clostridium perfringens, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusMycobacterium avium, and Salmonella spp. were retained and analysed. Research was mostly focused on Salmonella (n = 43 studies). In-feed and/or water treatments, and vaccination were the most tested interventions and were, overall, successful. However, the previously agreed criteria for this systematic review excluded other effective interventions to control Salmonella and other pathogens, like Yersinia enterocolitica, which is one of the most relevant biological hazards in pork. Examples of such successful interventions are the Specific Pathogen Free herd principle, stamping out and repopulating with disease-free animals.

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Dairy Farmers Are Using This Important Tool to Meet Climate Goals

Video: Dairy Farmers Are Using This Important Tool to Meet Climate Goals

Discover the innovative approach dairy farmers are taking to reduce their environmental impact and meet climate goals. From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to sustainable farming practices, learn the trick that's making a significant difference in the dairy industry. Whether you're a farmer, environmentalist, or simply interested in sustainable living, this video reveals the surprising solution that's paving the way for a more eco-friendly future.

Sabino Ahlem-Herrera is a third-generation dairy farmer in Hilmar, California currently utilizing innovative technology like anaerobic digesters to trap methane gas and convert it into biogas, a form of pure energy. Only two percent of the state's public investment in methane reduction has gone to the dairy sector, yet this investment has driven a 30 percent reduction in methane emissions statewide.

Dr. Frank Mitloehner, air quality specialist and director of the UC Davis CLEAR Center, shares more about digesters and explains how current research at UC Davis is producing accurate data on their effectiveness and potential on dairy farms.