Managing piggery pathogens to ensure food safety
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Environment
01 April 2019
Completed Project
Project goal
- To assemble a comprehensive overview of previous pig industry research in the area of health risks associated with piggery effluent re-use
- To review the literature to identify new information on the potential pathogens present in piggery effluent and the availability of more recent quantitative data on pathogens in piggery effluent
- To update where necessary and where possible the recommendations on guidelines on piggery effluent made in the early 2000s
- To identify any risks that have emerged since the last active Australian based research in this area
- To identify gaps in knowledge, if present, where additional research on pathogens and their levels are required to improve the management of health risks associated with piggery effluent re-use
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Project summary
Pig wastes can be a potential source of pathogens which have the potential to impact human health. There is a need for the industry need to be able to demonstrate safe and sustainable use of piggery waste, and so this project aimed to review both previous and more recent literature to address potential safety concerns.
Value for producers:
- Better understanding leads to more informed decision-making by both industry and regulators
- Science-driven policies about effluent re-use
Recommendations:
- Piggeries follow the diagram showing how to address potential risk management in piggeries (Figure 16 on pg 69 of the final report)
- There were a number of other recommendations made regarding pathogens in effluent, aerosols, crops and pasture, and effluent-treated soils, amongst others
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Research enquiries
For further information on environment, please contact Gemma Wyburn on 0419 610 212 or email: gemma.wyburn@australianpork.com.au