Qualitative risk assessment of animal meal applied to swine production

Abstract

<p>There are gaps in the pig production chain, particularly as regards the possible destinations of dead animals on farms. The production of animal meal presents itself as an alternative for the recycling of biological waste. The objective of this study was realize a qualitative microbiological risk assessment on animal meal in order to provide subsidies to indicate possible hazards and risks associated with the use of meal produced from dead pigs on farms. The microorganism Salmonella was the main hazard reported. The scenario tree presented 15 scenarios for contamination and recontamination of animal meal. For the first scenario was defined release and exposure risk levels as moderate, was obtained as the risk level of the occurrence moderate. The risk level of the consequence determined as low together with the level of occurrence obtained previously resulted in the final risk level low. For the second scenario defined release risk level as high and the exposure risk level as moderate, we obtained as moderate risk level of occurrence. The risk level of the consequence determined as high related to the level of occurrence previously obtained resulted in the final risk level high. From the information and scenarios considered, it was not possible to indicate the production of animal meal as a probable destination for dead animals on pig farms.</p>