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For organic pig production little information is available about potential food safety problems with respect to zoonotic bacteria like salmonella. The aim of the current study was to examine the salmonella infection dynamics in organic pigs through an outdoor experimental set-up. Pigs inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium were grouped with non-infected tracerpigs to determine the transmission of salmonella between animals. The results indicated that the organic pigs were perceptive to infections but that the susceptibility varied considerably between pigs. Furthermore, bacteriological examinations of soil and water samples from the pasture environment showed the ability of salmonella to survive in the non-host environment. Moreover, introduction of salmonella-free pigs into such naturally contaminated pastures caused salmonella-infections in some of the pigs, but mainly where the infection rate had been high previously. Elimination of salmonella-infected animals at an early stage would minimize the build up of high contamination levels and this could probably help to control the spread and persistence of salmonella in outdoor pigs.

Purpose. Paratuberculosis or Johne’s disease in cattle is considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease in humans. Whether organic production may influence the prevalence of paratuberculosis in dairy herds was not known until now and was therefore the purpose of our study. Methods. Blood samples were taken in 2003 from cows older than three years, originating from 76 organic dairy herds. Samples were tested for antibodies against Mycobacterium paratuberculosis using an ELISA. Data were compared with a similar analysis performed by the Animal Health Service on 579 dairy farms participating in the National Dutch Paratuberculosis Program, which includes a few organic herds. Results. The mean number of animals tested was 48 and 56 for the organic versus the control group, respectively. Of the 3688 organic sera tested, 43 revealed the presence of M. paratuberculosis antibodies. These seropositive animals originated from 22 farms (28.9 %). Fourteen farms (18.4 %) only had one seropositive animal. Two farms had 6 seropositive animals. In the control group 197 farms had seropositive animals (34 %), which was not statistically significant from the organic farms. In the control group 107 farms only had one seropositive animal (18.5 %), which was also not different as compared to the organic group. Conclusions. These data show that the incidence of Johne’s disease is not different between organic and regular dairy herds. The slightly higher incidence in the control group may be due to the fact that the number of animals tested per farm was larger. Grants: This study was supported by a grant (LNV program-PO-34) from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality

The variation in the incidence of hyperketonaemia is marked between individual herds, and even though organic farms have some feeding related factors predisposing to hyperketonaemia, there are also some management practices (especially in loose housing systems) which might act as preventive factors. However, it may be advisable for organic farmers to favour moderate milk production when selecting cows for a herd.

In Finland, an ongoing (2003-2005) research project on organic egg production, animal welfare and food safety is examining campylobacter and salmonella contamination of approximately 20 organic layer farms. Adequate biosecurity levels, lowering the number of potential zoonotic infection sources in the vicinity of hen houses and vaccination of hens against S. Enteritidis are available tools to decrease contamination of organic laying hens by campylobacters or salmonella.

A total of 20 out of 23 commercial organic layer farms took part in the research. Data were collected through observation and by interviewing the producer, using a semi-structured interview guide. Laying hen welfare was estimated using environment-based and animal-based methods. Fresh faecal samples were collected from the floor for analysis of campylobacter and salmonella bacteria and for internal parasite identification.

Introduction: Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by the secondary metabolism of toxic moulds in the Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium genera occurring in food commodities and foodstuffs. The range and potency of mycotoxins make this group of naturally occurring toxins an ongoing animal health hazard and a constant risk for contamination of the food supply. Mycotoxicoses are diseases caused by exposure to foods or feeds contaminated with mycotoxins. Mycotoxins exhibit a variety of biological effects in animals, such as liver and kidney toxicity, central nervous system effects or estrogenic effects. There are differences between animals with regard to the susceptibility towards different mycotoxins. Poultry secrete mycotoxins relatively fast because of a particular digesting system. Ingredients used for animal feeding should be checked to ensure that adequate quality standards are maintained and that mycotoxins are not present at higher than acceptable levels. Good animal feeding practices also requires that feed is stored in such a way as to avoid contamination. As organically raised livestock are fed greater proportions of hay, grass and silage, there is reduced opportunity for mycotoxin contaminated feed to lead to mycotoxin contaminated milk. Mycotoxins have been reported in organic produce. One theory is that organically-grown products are likely to contain higher concentrations of mycotoxins than conventionally grown products. However, there is little evidence to support this theory (Tamm et al. 2002). Higher or lower mycotoxin contents in feed and food made in different production systems may be caused by i) systematic differences in the production systems during pre-harvest (e.g. use of agrochemicals), ii) differences in post-harvest handling (e.g. storage, transport) and iii) differences during the transformation of raw products into processed foods. Also differences that are in fact due to improper handling procedures during harvest or post-harvest

Within the 5th EU-framework project “Recommendations for improved procedures for securing consumer oriented food safety and quality of certified organic foods from plough to plate“(QLRT-2002-02245; “Organic HACCP”), a systematic analysis was carried out among selected certified organic food production chains, such as eggs and milk but also wheat bread,cabbage, tomatoes, apples and wine, to investigate current procedures of production management and quality assurance. For each of seven quality and safety criteria, such as microbial toxins and abiotic contaminants, potential pathogens, natural plant toxicants, freshness and taste, nutrient content and food additives, fraud as well as social and ethical aspects the information was analysed to identify Critical Control Points (CCPs) and to suggest ways how the control of quality and safety can be further improved. CCPs were defined as the steps in supply chains where the qualities of the final product can be controlled most efficiently. The project had the following overall objectives: i) to provide an overview of consumer concerns in terms of organic food in different European regions, and a conceptual framework for setting future research in perspective; ii) to establish a database of existing procedures and relevant control points for selected organic food production chains, prepared for extension with additional commodity groups and updated procedures; iii) to provide systematic analyses of each selected commodity chain using procedures developed for Hazard Analysis by Critical Control Points (HACCP), for each of seven aspects of safety and/or quality; and iv) to produce and disseminate information material with recommendations for improvements of procedures and control, to the stakeholders involved, and to define the most important research needs on subjects where current knowledge does not yield a sufficiently firm basis for practical recommendations, and disseminate this information to researchers and research po

This contribution aims to present the results of a French case-study analysis - BioBourgogne Viande - carried up by members of three research teams in the framework of the European Program OMIaRD (Organic Marketing Initiatives and Rural Development) . In a first part, after a brief description of the region where the O.M.I is located, we present the main features of the development of BioBourgogne Viande, from its origins to the present day. In a second part, the motivations, cohesion and competencies are analysed in the structure of a SWOT (opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses), identifying organisational learning processes through the past ten years

The initial meeting of the working group on standard development took place at the 1st SAFO-Workshop, September 2003, in Florence. In accordance with the main topic of the Workshop, the discussion was primarily focused on the relationship between socio-economic aspects of the standards and the issue of animal health and food safety in organic farming. The report cover the additional issues discussed in the 1st Working Group meeting in Florence.

Results - It is necessary to improve the information to the public (who are the taxpayer and pay the subsidies) about organic farming as a system, that improves animal health and welfare. - Consumers must get accurate information about the organic products they buy. - Producers should be informed about organic farming before they convert (so they know what to expect): they should be told about the regluations and pointed to the available information about organic farming. - Veterinarians should be informed (part of the teaching curriculum in vet schools) about the holistic system, the importance of preventive health management on organic farms and about alternative treatments. - In communication to the policy makers (the government), organic farming should be presented as a different farming system and not as a conventional system with some alteration.

Content: Feeding of livestock in organic production systems was discussed in four different groups: beef production, dairy production, pig production and poultry production. A. Beef production The general consensus was that most of these problems require solutions on management and systems level, rather than further nutritional research. Research and development needs are described. B. Dairy production The discussion on health and welfare related problems in dairy feeding focused on many issues. Some management solutions are given. Research and development needs are demonstrated. C. Pig production Research and development needs are demonstrated. D. Poultry production Potential solutions to these problems were suggested. Research and development needs are displayed.

Contents: Just what do we mean by "systems", and how can we understand them? Why is systems research particularly suited to organic agriculture? How do we do it? A way to start Achieving true systems research: a long-range goal

The pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) is sexually dichromatic with extreme variation in male plumage coloration. The benefit for males of having black plumage is controversial, and few studies have found evidence for a sexual selection benefit of being, Addresses: UNIV JYVASKYLA, DEPT BIOL, SF-40100 JYVASKYLA, FINLAND. UNIV UPPSALA, DEPT ZOOL, S-75236 UPPSALA, SWEDEN. UNIV UPPSALA, DEPT GENET, S-75007 UPPSALA, SWEDEN.