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USDA: Trichinae certification programme
The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending its regulations to establish a
voluntary trichinae certification programme for US pork.
While
Trichinella is extremely rare in the United States, APHIS'
voluntary certification programme is designed to enhance the ability of
producers to export pork and pork products overseas. The European Union
and other foreign markets require
Trichinella testing for all imports of fresh pork and fresh
pork products.
Trichinella is a
parasitic species of worm found in many warm-blooded carnivores and omnivores,
including swine. Transmission from one host to another only occurs by the
ingestion of infected muscle tissue. The primary vector for Trichinella
parasites in swine is the consumption of raw meat waste and, in some cases, the
consumption of rodents or other animals.
Under the new programme, APHIS
will certify pork production sites that follow good production practices that
reduce, eliminate or avoid the risk of exposure of swine to
Trichinella parasites. Good production
practices include feed integrity (such as a clean and well known source of feed
and proper feed storage) as well as facility construction and
condition.
This voluntary certification programme offers American
producers a set of guidelines to standardise their pork production methods and
practices. The programme also offers overseas markets a USDA certification that
Trichinella protections are in place
at participating US farms without having to test every animal and every
product.
Notice of this final rule is scheduled for publication in the
Oct. 10 Federal Register and becomes effective Nov. 10.
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