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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is developing an Establishment-based Risk Assessment (ERA) model for commercial and on-farm mills involved in the manufacture, storage, packaging, labeling, or distribution of livestock feed (ERA-Feed Mill model). This model will help inform the allocation of inspection resources on the basis of feed safety risk, including animal health and food safety risk. In a previous study, 34 risk factors, grouped into inherent, mitigation, and compliance clusters, along with assessment criteria were selected. The objective of this current study was to estimate the relative risk (RR) of the 203 assessment criteria on the basis of the impact on feed safety to design an ERA-Feed Mill model algorithm. Furthermore, the intent of this study was to assess the maximum increase or decrease of risk obtained when multiple criteria belonging to a same cluster were identified in a specific feed mill. To do so, a two-round face-to-face expert elicitation was conducted with 28 Canadian feed experts. Results showed no significant association between respondent profiles (years of experience and work sector) and estimated RR. Uniformity of answers between experts improved between rounds. Criteria having the highest increase in risk (median RR ≥ 4) included the presence of materials prohibited to be fed to ruminants in a facility that produces ruminant feed, the presence of multiple livestock species on-site, and historical noncompliances related to the inspection of the feed mill's process control and end-product control programs. Risk mitigation criteria having the highest impact on decreasing the risk were the implementation of feed safety certifications, the use of dedicated manufacturing lines (prohibited materials or medications), and having a hazard sampling plan in place for finished feed. The median RR assigned to each criterion and cluster will be used to build an algorithm of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's ERA-Feed Mill model. HIGHLIGHTS

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is developing an Establishment-based Risk Assessment model for Hatcheries to allocate inspection resources according to the food safety risk associated with each hatchery falling under its jurisdiction. In a previous study, 29 factors contributing to the food safety risk of hatcheries were identified and grouped into three clusters (inherent risk, risk mitigation, and compliance) and assessment criteria were defined. The objective of the current study was to estimate the relative risk (RR) of these criteria. Two rounds of expert elicitations were conducted to allow 13 Canadian experts to estimate the RR of each criterion (

International audience; Biosecurity is crucial for infectious disease prevention, more importantly in the absence of vaccination. The need for improving the implementation of biosecurity practices was highlighted in French duck farms following the 2016-2017 H5N8 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) epidemic. Farmers have multiple reasons for not implementing biosecurity practices: external (time, money) and internal (socio-psychological). The purpose of this study was to determine how sets of socio-psychological factors (i.e. knowledge on biosecurity and avian influenza transmission, attitudes, personality traits, social background) affect the adoption of on-farm biosecurity practices. Biosecurity practices and socio-psychological determinants were assessed during 127 duck farm visits, in South West France, using both questionnaires and on-farm observations. Factorial analysis of mixed data (FAMD) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) identified three groups of farmers with different socio-psychological profiles: the first group was characterized by minimal knowledge, negative attitudes towards biosecurity, little social pressure and a low level of conscientiousness. The second group was characterized by more extensive experience in poultry production, higher stress and social pressure. The third group was characterized by less experience in poultry production, better knowledge and positive attitudes towards biosecurity, increased self-confidence and orientation towards action. The first group had a significantly lower adoption of biosecurity measures than the two other groups. A better understanding of the factors involved in farmers' decision-making could improve the efficiency of interventions aiming at improving and maintaining the level of on-farm biosecurity in the duck industry.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), as part of the modernization of its inspection system, is developing a risk assessment model with the goal of evaluating the most important food safety-related risk factors associated with the various types of food establishments under its jurisdiction. Ultimately, this new risk assessment model will assist CFIA in allocating its inspection resources according to the level of risk associated with each establishment. As a first step, key risk factors need to be identified. The objective of the current study was thus to identify and evaluate the importance of food safety-related risk factors that could be included in a risk assessment model. An initial literature search was used to identify these risk factors. Thereafter, 75 Canadian food safety experts were asked to assess the relative importance of the 155 identified risk factors with respect to food safety. This step was carried out using a web-based questionnaire in which risk factors had to be assessed by experts using a ten-point Likert-type scale. One risk factor (“management commitment”) received a median score of 10, while median score of 9, 8.5 and 8, and below 8 were attributed to 42, 77 and 35 of the risk factors listed, respectively. A company's commitment towards food safety was identified as an important risk factor contributing to the magnitude of the risk attributed to a food establishment. Many factors related to the performance of an establishment's preventive control plans were also scored high by experts, such as sanitation, hygiene practices, calibration and employee training. The median interquartile range in risk factor scoring generally did not exceed 2, and the respondent profile (work experience, employer and/or commodity-based expertise) did not have a strong influence on score results based on Kruskal–Wallis tests. This observation suggests that, despite their different backgrounds, experts’ opinions were relatively consistent and comparable when scoring the impact of various risk factors towards food safety. These survey outcomes represent useful information to aid in the design and implementation of risk assessment models for food establishments.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is developing a risk assessment model aimed at quantifying the food safety risk associated with food establishments under its jurisdiction. To support the development of this model, the current study was undertaken to quantify the relative importance of selected criteria considered for inclusion in the model. This process also aimed at estimating the risk associated with specific clusters of criteria. Overall, 173 criteria were presented to experts during a two-round face-to-face expert elicitation to estimate their relative risk to human health. Twenty-nine Canadian experts participated in the expert elicitation including members from academia (31%), industry (31%), and government (38%). A good consensus on the relative risks given to most criteria and clusters of criteria was achieved, and experts assessed them as significantly affecting the risk related to a food establishment. None of the experts expressed opposition to the inclusion of any criterion or to the way they were clustered. Experts assigned a relative risk of ≤4, of 4–8, and of ≥8–67% (116), 29.5% (51), and 3.5% (6) of the 173 criteria identified, respectively. Those having the highest impact on establishment food safety risk were: historical food safety recalls and lack of compliance for the sanitation program, the control of critical control points, followed by the equipment maintenance and calibration program, and the general food hygiene program. Having a sampling plan with trend analysis and follow-up actions was considered as an important mitigation factor. As a result, the median values calculated for each criterion and cluster will be used in the new Canadian Food Inspection Agency Establishment-based risk assessment model to support the allocation of inspection resources based on risk.

The safety of livestock feed is recognized worldwide as a prerequisite for the protection of animal and human health. In this context, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is developing an Establishment-based Risk Assessment model for livestock feed mills (ERA-Feed Mill) to assist in the allocation of inspection resources based on feed safety risk. The objectives of the present study were to identify and select animal health and food safety-related risk factors along with their assessment criteria, pertaining to Canadian feed mill practices, to be included in the ERA-Feed Mill model. To do so, a review of the scientific literature and consultations with feed experts were conducted. A final list of 34 risk factors was generated, 21 identified from the scientific literature and 13 from feed expert advice. Risk factors were grouped into three clusters: inherent risk factors, mitigation factors and compliance factors for which 4, 10 and 20 factors were identified, respectively. Criteria for quantitatively assessing each risk factor were defined based on common practices found in the Canadian feed industry. These findings contributed to the initial steps of the CFIA's ERA-Feed Mill model development. By assessing the feed safety risk factors related to feed mills in Canada, this tool will help inform the CFIA on the level of oversight required to manage these risks, and will contribute to the production and maintenance of healthy livestock and the production of safe food.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is developing a risk assessment model for food establishments. Previous research on the significance of food safety risk factors determined by literature review and expert advice served as the bases for the current study, to further refine, discriminate and select the most important criteria to be included in the model. This process considered the availability of data sources, the clarity and measurability of the selected factors, undertook the elimination of lower-rated risk factors and grouped those with similar focus of attention, enabling the selection of a final list of risk factors for the model. A method of assessment for the remaining factors was then proposed to allow the quantification of individual risk factors within the model. From the 155 risk factors initially identified, 17 consolidated factors were kept and will be considered for the development of the risk assessment model.

Decreasing the health burden caused by foodborne pathogens is challenging and it depends on the identification of the most significant hazards and food sources causing illnesses, so adequate mitigation strategies can be implemented. In this regard, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has developed the Establishment-based Risk Assessment (ERA) model, so that a more effective and efficient allocation of resources can be assigned to the highest food safety risk areas. To assess risk, the model considers the type of food sub-products being manufactured by establishments and its scope is limited to the 17 most important foodborne pathogens representing the highest level of food safety risk. However, the information on source attribution at the sub-product level based on a structured approach is limited. To overcome this challenge, an expert elicitation was conducted in 2016 to estimate the relative contribution and associated certainty of each sub-product for 31 pathogen-commodity combinations to the total Canadian health burden associated with foodborne illnesses (expressed in DALYs). These DALYs represent 78% of the total Canadian health burden associated with federally-regulated food commodities considered within the model. A total of 49 Canadian experts recruited using a “snow ball” sampling strategy participated in the study by completing an electronic survey. Results of the elicitation displayed variable levels of health burden allocation between the pathogens and the different commodity sub-products. Assessment of the certainty levels showed some combinations being evaluated with more confidence (e.g., Campylobacter and eggs/poultry sub-products) than others, where a bimodal distribution of certainty was observed (e.g., Toxoplasma in pork sub-products). Furthermore, no participant raised concerns on the food classification scheme, suggesting their agreement with the proposed sub-products categorization of the elicitation. Relative contribution estimates will be included in the CFIA ERA model and used to enhance its applicability for risk prioritization and effective resource allocation during food establishment inspections. While substantial uncertainty around the central tendency estimates was found, these estimates provide a good basis for regulatory oversight and public health policy.

Catching crew members can heavily contaminate their hands with organic material. They can act as mechanical vector and spread diseases between farms. Hand hygiene is an important issue for the industry as a whole and for human health by reducing contamination risks. Many studies, in human medicine, tend to make hand rub a standard for hand hygiene. However, few studies have tested the effectiveness of hand hygiene products on visibly contaminated hands. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of practical hand sanitization protocols: water and soap, degreasing cream and hand wipes, all combined with alcohol-based hand gel. The use of alcohol-based gel alone was also evaluated. For the reduction of coliforms after washing, there was no statistically significant difference between protocols when the initial level of bacterial contamination was low to moderate. When hands were highly contaminated, the alcohol-based gel alone was less effective than the degreasing cream combined with the alcohol-based gel (p=0.002). As for the reduction in total aerobic bacteria counts, there was no difference between protocols when the initial level of bacterial contamination was low. The water, soap and alcohol-based gel protocol was more effective than the scrubbing wipes and alcohol-based gel protocol when hands were moderately (p=0.002) and highly contaminated (p=0.001). All protocols were effective in neutralizing Salmonella on hands. Reducing the level of bacterial contamination on hands before using an alcohol-based gel seems important to ensure effective hand sanitation for highly and moderately contaminated hands. This can be done by using a degreasing cream or water and soap. Based on the survey, catching crew members preferred using warm water and soap compared to a degreasing cream.

Evaluation of biosecurity measures based on video surveillance in poultry farms in Quebec and main failures. Biosecurity measures are designed to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases in flocks, and reduce the consequences of an infection. However, to be effective, biosecurity measures must be applied consistently by all. Poor compliance has been reported with all types of animal production, and many reasons have been given, such as the lack of understanding of biosecurity principles. It is essential to define strategies to improve the implementation of biosecurity measures. Different approaches have been studied in human medicine, mainly in hospital settings. They include daily observations and feedback to employees, training programs, the presence of an observer, and the increased availability of hand washing stations. These strategies have been shown to work, but only for the short term. We are currently conducting a study in 24 poultry farms in Quebec to determine the impact of audits and of visible cameras on the level of biosecurity compliance. The effect of these two strategies will be determined in the short term (2 weeks) and in the medium term (six months later). The targeted biosecurity measures are those required when getting in and out of poultry barns. The compliance is evaluated using hidden cameras. People filmed during the study will then be asked to complete a questionnaire designed to assess their personality profile. The first objective of the study is to determine whether audits or visible cameras increase biosecurity compliance. The second objective is to determine whether a relationship exists between personality profiles and compliance. Preliminary results from 13 farms show that poor compliance is indeed a present-day problem., La biosécurité prévient l’introduction de maladies dans un troupeau et réduit les conséquences d''une infection. En revanche, pour être efficaces, les mesures doivent être appliquées de façon constante et uniforme. Un manque d’observance a été noté dans tous les types de productions animales et plusieurs raisons sont données pour l’expliquer, par exemple le manque de compréhension des principes de la biosécurité. Il est essentiel de trouver des stratégies pour améliorer l’application des mesures de biosécurité. Différentes pistes ont été étudiées en médecine humaine, principalement en milieu hospitalier. Il s’agit d’observations et de rétroactions verbales quotidiennes, de programmes de formation, de l''affectation d’un observateur à cet objectif, de l’augmentation de la disponibilité des stations de lavage des mains, etc. Il est démontré que ces stratégies sont efficaces, mais seulement à court terme. Nous conduisons actuellement une étude afin de déterminer l’impact d’audits et de caméras visibles sur l’observance des mesures de biosécurité dans 24 fermes avicoles au Québec. L’effet de ces stratégies sera étudié à court terme (2 semaines) et à moyen terme (6 mois plus tard). Les mesures de biosécurité ciblées sont celles exigées à l’entrée et à la sortie d’un bâtiment d’élevage. L’évaluation de l’application des mesures est réalisée grâce à des caméras cachées. Par la suite, les personnes filmées seront rencontrées pour répondre à un questionnaire afin d''établir leur profil de personnalité. Le but premier de cette étude est de déterminer si les audits ou les caméras visibles augmenteront l’observance des mesures de biosécurité. Le deuxième objectif est de déterminer la relation entre les profils de personnalité et l’observance. Des résultats préliminaires obtenus dans 13 fermes sont présentés et démontrent que le manque d’observance est un problème bien contemporain !, Racicot Manon, Vaillancourt Jean-Pierre. Evaluation des mesures de biosécurité dans les fermes avicoles au Québec par vidéosurveillance et principales erreurs commises. In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 162 n°3, 2009. pp. 265-272.

Biosecurity compliance is an issue in all types of animal production. Poor compliance is frequently related to lack of knowledge or comprehension. Human dimensions, such as personality and attitudes were also suggested as being related to compliance. As part of a larger study, personality traits, experience, education and training of employees, visitors and growers were evaluated to assess their relationship with their compliance with biosecurity measures when entering and exiting poultry barns. Biosecurity compliance was evaluated using hidden cameras. One hundred fourteen individuals involved in a total of 2379 visits on 23 poultry farms responded to a personality test. Results demonstrated that several determinants of compliance exist, and some are related to personality, experience and education. Three personality traits were significantly associated with compliance: responsibility, complexity and action-oriented. Such information has important implications for the selection of job applicants or task attribution and to enhance effectiveness of training programs.

Biosecurity compliance is generally poor in all types of animal production systems around the world. Therefore, it is essential to define strategies to improve the implementation of biosecurity measures. This study evaluated the value of audits and visible cameras on compliance with biosecurity measures required when entering and exiting poultry barns on 24 poultry farms in Quebec, Canada. Short term (first two weeks) and medium term (six months later) compliance were determined. Application of biosecurity measures was evaluated using hidden cameras. Video viewing revealed a total of 2748 visits by 259 different individuals. Results showed that bimonthly audits did not have any impact on medium term compliance. Visible cameras had a significant impact on changing boots (OR=9.6; 1.9-48.4) and respecting areas (contaminated vs. clean) during the visit (OR=14.5; 1.2-175.1) for the short term period. However, six months later, compliance declined and was no longer significantly different from controls. Duration and moment of the visit, presence of the grower or an observer, barn entrance design, number of barns, number of biosecurity measures requested, type of boots worn, gender and being a member of a grower's family were significantly associated with biosecurity compliance.