Bovine SpongiformBovine SpongiformEncepalopathy, BSEEncepalopathy, BSEBovine SpongiformBovine SpongiformEncepalopathy, BSEEncepalopathy, BSE

Should FAO have Should FAO have maintained its silence?maintained its silence?

2

3

Why did FAO sound the alert?Why did FAO sound the alert?Why did FAO sound the alert?Why did FAO sound the alert?

Active surveillance for BSE introduced by some infected countries indicated higher rates of infection than previously thought

By end 2000, beginning 2001 BSE was discovered in major EU countries so far having denied possibility if infection

The EU is a major global exporter of cattle and by-products

4

Years of first report of native BSEYears of first report of native BSEYears of first report of native BSEYears of first report of native BSE

Up to 1987

1989 - 1994

1995 - 1999

2000, 2001

1997

2000

2001

1994

1991

1989

1990

Portugal reported BSE in imported cattle in 1990

5

Year of birth of earliest caseYear of birth of earliest caseYear of birth of earliest caseYear of birth of earliest case

UK: 1973/74 FRANCE, IRELAND: 1981 SWITZERLAND, PORTUGAL: 1984 BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS: 1993 GERMANY: 1994 DENMARK: 1996

6

Means of spreadMeans of spreadMeans of spreadMeans of spread

Meat and bone meal (MBM) regarded as most important means of spread

Free trade in the EU facilitated spread of BSE at a time, when the disease had not even been recognized

Recycling of bovine tissues as feed led to amplification

7

Epidemiology of BSEEpidemiology of BSEEpidemiology of BSEEpidemiology of BSE

Evidence of amplification: France, Portugal, Switzerland

8

BSE RisksBSE RisksBSE RisksBSE Risks

Risk of Importation: BSE in imported cattle and in homebred cattle fed imported infective material

Risk of amplification: Propagation of BSE through recycling of animal by-products in susceptible species

Risk to humans: vCJD probably through consumption of infective material of bovine origin

9

Countries at risk of BSE in Countries at risk of BSE in native livestocknative livestockCountries at risk of BSE in Countries at risk of BSE in native livestocknative livestock

those that have: imported live cattle originating from affected

countries

or imported meat meal containing infective tissue

and recycle ruminant by-products in ruminants

10

Cattle Exports from UKCattle Exports from UKCattle Exports from UKCattle Exports from UK

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

Eur-

W

N&

M-E

ast

Afr

-N

Afr

-SSA

Am

-C

Am

-N

Am

-S

Asi

a-E

Eur-

E

Oce

ania

88 to 90

91 to 95

96 to 99

Importing RegionEC-SSC considered 5% of birth cohort born between1988 and 1993 in UK infected

11

Cattle Exports from W-EuropeCattle Exports from W-EuropeCattle Exports from W-EuropeCattle Exports from W-Europe

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

Eur-E

N&M

-Eas

t

Afr-N

Afr-S

SA

Am-C

Am-N

Am-S

Asia

-C

Asia

-E

Asia

-S

Asia

-SE

Oce

ania

88 to 90

91 to 95

96 to 99

Importing Region

12

Global trade in MBMGlobal trade in MBMGlobal trade in MBMGlobal trade in MBM

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

1,600,000

1,800,000

2,000,000

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Metric tons

13

Exports of MBM by RegionExports of MBM by RegionExports of MBM by RegionExports of MBM by Region

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000W

-Eur UK

E-Eu

r

N-E

ast

M-E

ast

S-A

sia

E-A

sia

SE-A

sia

Oce

ania

N-A

m

C-A

m

S-A

m

88 to 90

91 to 95

96 to 99

Metric tons

14

Imports from other regionImports from other regionImports from other regionImports from other region

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

W-E

ur UK

E-Eu

r

N-A

fr

N-E

ast

M-E

ast

S-A

sia

E-A

sia

SE-A

sia

Oce

ania

N-A

m

C-A

m

S-A

m

SSA

88 to 90

91 to 95

96 to 99

Metric tons

15

Trade Matrix of MBM (1996-99)Trade Matrix of MBM (1996-99)Trade Matrix of MBM (1996-99)Trade Matrix of MBM (1996-99)

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000A

fr-N

Am

-C

Am

-N

Am

-S

Asi

a-E

Asi

a-SE

Eur-

E

Eur-

UK

Eur-

W

N&

M-E

ast

Oce

ania

Am-N

Am-S

Asia-E

Asia-SE

Eur-UK

Eur-W

Oceania

Importer

Exporter

Metric tons

16

EU Regional Risk AnalysisEU Regional Risk AnalysisEU Regional Risk AnalysisEU Regional Risk Analysis

Qualitative analysis based on– External challenge: likelihood and amount of BSE

agent entering into a defined geographical area– Stability: the ability of a BSE/cattle system to

prevent the introduction and to reduce the spread of the BSE agent within its borders

not feeding MBM to cattle rendering system (133/20/3) SRM removal

– Interactions of the above

17

Epidemiology of BSEEpidemiology of BSEEpidemiology of BSEEpidemiology of BSE

18

EU-Geographic BSE Risk AnalysisEU-Geographic BSE Risk AnalysisEU-Geographic BSE Risk AnalysisEU-Geographic BSE Risk Analysis

Not done

Highly unlikely

Unlikely

Likely or lower level

Confirmed at higher

level

19

Problems in Risk QuantificationProblems in Risk QuantificationProblems in Risk QuantificationProblems in Risk Quantification

Meat meals are not differentiated in trade statistics (pig, poultry, fish, cattle)

Cross-contamination of meat meals and livestock feeds

Differences in ‘riskiness’ of MBMs by country and period

Triangular trade Compound feed

20

BSE Risk in other SpeciesBSE Risk in other SpeciesBSE Risk in other SpeciesBSE Risk in other Species

TSEs occur in most species BSE shown to be able to infect a number

of wild ungulates (in zoos) BSE shown to be infective for cats Transmission to sheep a distinct

possibility Oral transmission to pigs and poultry so

far not successful

21

Uncertainties/UnknownsUncertainties/UnknownsUncertainties/UnknownsUncertainties/Unknowns

Cause: Novel infectious agent, PRION, but this is disputed by some scientists

Origin of BSE-Prion: Main hypothesis is crossing of species-barrier by scrapie agent, but alternative hypotheses exist

Transmission: Feed generally accepted as main vehicle, but vertical and horizontal transmission not excluded

22

Uncertainties/UnknownsUncertainties/UnknownsUncertainties/UnknownsUncertainties/Unknowns

Infection: Single exposure vs cumulative effect

Genetic component: is susceptibility linked to certain genotypes?

Diagnostic test for live animals: Is it possible to develop and how long will it take?

Etc, etc, etc....

23

The Risk Manager’s DilemmaThe Risk Manager’s DilemmaThe Risk Manager’s DilemmaThe Risk Manager’s Dilemma

‘Can we know the risks we face now and in the future?’

‘No, we cannot, but yes, we must act as if we do!!!’

‘Science will not provide all the answers!’

24

FAO recommendsFAO recommendsFAO recommendsFAO recommends

National Risk Analysis to determine own risk status

Surveillance for BSE in cattle at risk of having been exposed to infective material

Restriction of MBM in ruminant feed Banning of Specified Risk Materials and

fallen stock from MBM Stricter Feed and Meat industry regulation

and enforcement thereof

Information on BSEInformation on BSEInformation on BSEInformation on BSE

26

27

28

EU measures to tackle BSEEU measures to tackle BSEEU measures to tackle BSEEU measures to tackle BSE

A ban on the feeding of mammalian meat and bone meal (MBM) to cattle, sheep and goats, as of July 1994;

Higher processing standards for the treatment of animal waste (133 degrees, 3 bars of pressure for twenty minutes) to reduce infectivity to a minimum, as of 1 April 1997;

Active surveillance measures for the detection, control and eradication of BSE, as of 1 May 1998 and the introduction of post-mortem testing from 1 January 2001;

The requirement to remove specified high-risk materials (SRMs like spinal cord, brain, eyes, tonsils, parts of the intestines) from cattle, sheep and goats throughout the EU from 1 October 2000 from the human and animal food chains.

The introduction of targeted testing for BSE, with a focus on high risk animal categories, from 1 January 2001. This measure will be reviewed and extended to all cattle aged over 30 months entering the food chain from 1 July 2001;

The prohibition of dead animals not fit for human consumption to be used for feed production as from 1 March 2001 onwards.

In addition there are country specific measures in force in several Member States, especially those with the highest incidence of BSE.

A ban on MBM to all farm animals and fishmeal to ruminants, from 1 Jan 2001

30

31

Proposed draft code of practice on Proposed draft code of practice on safe animal feedingsafe animal feedingProposed draft code of practice on Proposed draft code of practice on safe animal feedingsafe animal feeding

GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND REQUIREMENTS

RAW MATERIALS, MINERALS, VITAMINS AND FEED ADDITIVES Raw materials of animal, plant and/or marine origin should be obtained

from reputable sources, preferably with a supplier warranty......

LABELLING Labelling requirements shall ensure traceability for all feedingstuffs of

their origin, full labelling of ingredients, the correct use of permitted additives.....

TRACEABILITY AND RECORD KEEPING Traceability of raw materials, minerals, vitamins and feed additives in

feedingstuffs should be ensured by proper labelling and record keeping....

INSPECTION AND CONTROL PROCEDURES Official regulatory programmes should be established....

32

HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH ANIMAL FEED It is essential that the levels of hazardous substances in feed are

sufficiently low....

Feed Additives Feed additives should be assessed for safety and approved under

stated conditions of use...... Antibiotics should not be used in feedingstuffs for growth promoting purposes in the absence of public health safety assessment....

Feed materials Feed materials contaminated with mycotoxins in excess of established

national maximum levels or international maximum levels established should not be fed to animals.....

Feedingstuffs Feedingstuffs may be marketed only if they are wholesome,

unadulterated and of merchantable quality....

Undesirable Substances Undesirable substances such as pesticides, agricultural and industrial

chemicals, heavy metals, radionuclides, zoonoses, mycotoxins, and other microbiological contamination of feedingstuffs should be minimized......

Proposed draft code of practice on Proposed draft code of practice on safe animal feedingsafe animal feedingProposed draft code of practice on Proposed draft code of practice on safe animal feedingsafe animal feeding

33

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION OF ANIMAL FEEDINGSTUFFS The producer or manufacturer should establish quality

assurance systems based on the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). The HACCP principles, as annexed to the Codex “Recommended International Code of Practice - General Principles of Food Hygiene” 5 should be preferred....

ON-FARM PRODUCTION AND USE OF FEEDINGSTUFFS [To be developed, including provisions for HACCP]

Proposed draft code of practice on Proposed draft code of practice on safe animal feedingsafe animal feedingProposed draft code of practice on Proposed draft code of practice on safe animal feedingsafe animal feeding

34

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION OF ANIMAL FEEDINGSTUFFS

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) based on HACCP

ON-FARM PRODUCTION AND USE OF FEEDINGSTUFFS

GMPs for dairy production

GMPs for pig production

GMPs for poultry

Intensive pasture-based systems

AGA Technical Support to AGA Technical Support to Codex Code of PracticeCodex Code of PracticeAGA Technical Support to AGA Technical Support to Codex Code of PracticeCodex Code of Practice

35

HACCP for the Feed IndustryHACCP for the Feed IndustryHACCP for the Feed IndustryHACCP for the Feed Industry

Raw materials Feed mill Transport On-farm Slaughter Treatment of by-products (rendering) Meat

36

Possible FAO ActionsPossible FAO ActionsPossible FAO ActionsPossible FAO Actions

Mechanisms to assist countries in national risk assessments

Development of appropriate risk management options, including....

HACCP for the feed industry GMPs for on-farm practice Support of capacity building for BSE

surveillance and control