National Trichinae Herd Certification Program

Importance to industry Stigma for the pork industry Stigma for the U.S. Establish national certification mechanism Modern practices have basically eliminated

Importance to FSIS First preharvest food safety (PHFS) program in U.S. history for a biological entity Based on implementation of Good Production Practices (HACCP-like foundation) Defines mechanism for subsequent PHFS programs Ensures the integrity of raw materials entering the plant

Where we are right now... What has been done –Risk factors identified –Audit developed –Certification mechanism defined –Participants organized and committed

Where we are right now… What needs to be done –Identify packers to participate in the pilot –Test/refine process under varying real world conditions (via a pilot) –Design the national certification program –Implement administrative and regulatory changes necessary for the national program to begin, as pilot ends

Introduction Trichinella spiralis - nematode of mammals –Any meat-eater can become infected. Has long been a stigma for U.S. Pork both domestically and internationally. Consumers either overcook or avoid pork consumption in response to their fear of contracting “worms from pork”. In 1994, the most asked pork safety question by consumers to the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline was about trichinae in pork.

Prevalence of Trichinellosis in Humans Dramatically declining % of U.S. population (National Institute of Health) = 1 out of 6 people infected % reported cases in the U.S reported cases in the U.S reported U.S. cases as of 12/24/99 MMWR Fewer than one-half of human cases are attributed to pork products.

Trichinellosis in Swine % infection rate 1930’s % % Enactment of garbage cooking laws. –Aimed at vesicular exanthema and hog cholera.

Trichinellosis in Swine % % % (NAHMS National Swine Survey) 8 U.S. plants approved to use pooled sample digestion under the AMS’s trichinae export testing program –One plant has tested nearly 5 million carcasses without finding any infected carcasses

National Trichinae Certification Program NPPC USDA-ARS USDA-APHIS USDA-FSIS Allied Industry Many States

Pre-Harvest Certification Based on production of pigs under management practices which minimize the risk of exposure of pigs to Trichinella. Uses written records and third party auditing to document good production practices. Is supported by regular testing of certified animals to verify the absence of infection.

Requirements of a Pre-Harvest Certification Program Knowledge of risk factors for transmission of Trichinella to pigs. Management interventions which reduce or eliminate risk for exposure. An objective audit and other records sufficient to document risk-reduced management. Tools for monitoring absence of infection in a certified population. Administrative, record-keeping and reporting systems to support certification.

International Perspective E.U. spends over 550 million dollars each year to test carcasses for larvae of Trichinella. International Commission on Trichinellosis –Addresses on-farm control of trichinae in the 1999 document, “Recommendations on Methods for the Control of Trichinella in Domestic and Wild Animals Intended for Human Consumption”. Lays out requirements for Trichinella free pig production. Indicated they will be monitoring the progress of our program and will probably adopt many of our procedures and documents.

Certification Process Accredited veterinarians, trained in trichinae GPP, work with producers to assure that trichinae infection risks are minimized on their farms. –Education will be the forerunner of the program. Periodic audits, performed by trained herd veterinarians, document the absence of trichinae infection risks. –APHIS decision and notification.

Certification Process (continued) Routinely, statistical samples will be tested (ELISA) at slaughter and to verify absence of infection and verify program integrity USDA:APHIS:VS Veterinarians conduct random spot- audits of certifications to ensure completeness and to build credibility among trade partners regarding the certification process.

Stakeholders U.S. Pork Producers U.S. Pork Industry Swine Practitioners Packing Industry U.S. Government Domestic and International Consumers

Resolutions 1998 Pork Forum Resolution –Trichinae Free Pork –Resolution: That the United States pork industry take aggressive steps to certify that U.S. pork products are trichinae free and communicate this to the domestic and international pork chain. LCI Food Safety Committee Resolution –Resolution: Be it resolved that the Livestock Conservation Institute encourages APHIS, FSIS, ARS, AASP and the National Pork Producers Council to continue to develop and implement a risk-based certification program to establish herd trichinae-safe status. [Approved: 1994; Amended: 1999]

Trichinae Certification Benefits Allow the U.S. to better compete in the fresh pork international market. Cost of certification allows industry to address this issue. –Certification = $ $0.60 average annual cost per pig (Testing ~ $0.83) *. Help to change the perceptions of pork our own domestic consumers hold. A model for pre-harvest food safety programs. *Based on Cost Analysis of Trichinae-Free Program Alternatives (CEAH, 1998)

National Trichinae Certification Program Standards Provide documentation of swine management practices which minimize risk of exposure of swine to the zoonotic parasite Trichinella spiralis. Establish a set of criteria that enable producers to market swine which are not considered a risk to human health due to exposure to this parasite.

Web Site USDA APHIS VS homepage contains: –Description of program –Certification procedures explained –List of certified herds –List of Qualified veterinarians –List of participating offices and personnel

What is FSIS’ role? Provide oversight of plant trichinae activities –Testing levels. –Tracking and segregation of animals and carcasses. –Checking of herd certification records for incoming pigs.

What is FSIS’ role? In partnership with APHIS, ensure program integrity –Coordinate and oversee in-plant statistical testing for verification of on-farm certification program. –Verify integrity of the program to APHIS. –Communicate positive animal results to APHIS for traceback. –Recognize end product as trichinae safe based on APHIS certification and in-plant testing