Principles of meat inspection Flashcards
At what part of the slaughter process is meat classed to be fit or unfit for human consumption?
Post-mortem exam
At what part of the slaughter process is meat classed to be fit or unfit for slaughter?
Ante-mortem exam
Residue sampling is part of which scheme?
National Surveillance Scheme
When are meat inspection stamps/health marks applied?
After ante and post-mortem inspection
If fit for human consumption
Who applies meat inspection stamps/health marks?
Official vet
Or someone under the responsibility of an OV
Are there minimum/maximum sizes for meat inspection stamps/health marks?
No - as long as legible
At what temperature must red-meat be kept in the abattoir?
7 degrees C
At what temperature must white-meat be kept in the abattoir?
4 degrees C
At what temperature must offal be kept at in the abattoir?
3 degrees C
At what temperature must freezers be kept at in the abattoir?
-20 degrees C
What parts of the body should be tested for TSEs in cattle and sheep?
Cattle - brainstem only
Sheep - brainstem AND cerebellum
What parts of cattle (of all ages) are classed as specified risk material?
Tonsils
Last 4m of SI
Caecum
Mesentery
What parts of cattle over 12 months old are classed as specified risk material
All ages - tonsils, last 4m of SI, caecum, mesentery
PLUS
Skull (excluding mandible), brain, eyes, spinal cord
If here are discrepancies on traceability, how long does the keeper have to correct this before the animal is killed and disposed of?
48 hours
24 hrs is for FCI
If a notifiable disease is suspected by an OV, what must happen in the slaughter house?
Stop everything!
No animal entry, no slaughter, isolate suspects and potentially contaminated carcasses
If an animal carcass is suspected to have a notifiable disease but tests prove it is negative, what happens to the meat?
Released
If an animal carcass is suspected to have a notifiable disease and it tests positive, what must be done?
Notify APHA
Disposal of meat
Clean and disinfection
Premise may be rested for some period
What agent causes Anthrax?
Bacillus anthracis
What PM lesions would you expect to see on a carcass with Anthrax?
Blood changes:
Severely dark and enlarged spleen
Extensive petechiae
Blood clots, dark blood
Classical swine fever is caused by what type of virus?
Pestivirus
What are the acute signs of classical swine fever?
Fever, depression, anorexia, loss of appetite Petechiae in skin LNs almost black abortion in pregnant sows Cyanosis V+, D+ CNS signs (depends on virulence strain) Up to 100% mortality
What are the subacute and chronic signs of Classical swine fever?
Weight loss Intermittent pyrexia Respiratory signs Chronic skin and intestinal ulcers Arthritis
If anthrax or swine fever is suspected at ante-mortem exam, what should happen?
Animal should not enter slaughter line
Notify OV immediately
What agent causes Bovine brucellosis?
Brucella abortus
What are the clinical signs of bovine brucellosis in cows?
Abortion in LATE pregnancy
Oedematous placenta and feotus
Hygromas on knees/stifle/hock
Hygromas over the knee in cattle are associated with which abortion agent?
Brucella abortus
Bovine brucellosis
If a cow has tested positive or inconclusive for bovine brucellosis, can it be slaughtered?
Yes - but must be done separately (udder, genital tract and blood unfit for consumption)
Use hooks to handle uterus and udder
If a cow has lesions that indicate ACUTE bovine brucellosis, is the meat fit or unfit for human consumption?
Unfit
If a cow has no lesions but tests positive/inconclusvie for Brucella abortus, is the meat fit or unfit for human consumption?
Only udder, genital tract and blood unfit
If animal has lesions that indicate bovine TB, is it fit or unfit for human consumption?
If one lesion - affected area unfit, rest of animal fit
If multiple lesions - unfit for human consumption
What age of cattle are typically affected by enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL)?
> 3 yrs
How is enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) transmitted?
Via colostrum, milk
Or transfer of infected lymph nodes (e.g. by fomites - dehorning)
What are the clinical signs of enzootic bovine leukosis?
Disseminated tumours
GI disturbances
Weight loss, anorexia, weakness, fever, fall in milk production
Dyspnoea
Bulging eyes,
Partial paralysis of HLs (spinal cord tumours)
Death within months
How many persistently infected cases of enzootic bovine leukosis are required for an investigation to be carried out by the veterinary officer?
Over 3 PI cases
carcase and offal do NOT need to be detained pending results
Meat fitness decisions are based on the CHORD abbreviation. What does this stand for?
Change Human Organ Repercussions Disease status
