Veterinary public health and food safety:
Meat Hygiene: Biosecurity and environmental impacts of red
meat production and processing
Author: Prof Cheryl McCrindle
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
Introduction
Biosecurity is the application of a set of measures
and
aimed at reducing the risk of introduction of diseases
processing of red meat must be taken into account
into a herd, area or country. Particularly in Africa,
throughout the food chain. Although the monitoring of
where infectious and parasitic diseases are common,
environmental
waste
the safe transport and disposal of diseased production
management is primarily the duty of environmental
animals and infected animal products are essential.
health professions, veterinary staff must take into
Both during culling operations and at abattoirs, disposal
account how these are related to food safety and
of carcasses, contaminated offal and effluents are part
biosecurity.
of biosecurity measures to protect individual farmers
The
environmental
impacts
impacts
and
of
production
effective
and the national herd. Legislated norms and practical
This module will critically evaluate and discuss waste
and effluent disposal at feedlots, abattoirs or game
logistics for application of biosecurity measures will be
examined and discussed.
culling operations. It will explain the OIE Terrestrial
Animal Code guidelines on disposal of carcass
The module will also promote an understanding of the
materials, as well as investigate, list and compare
salient features of biosecurity measures for feedlots
disposal and biosecurity measures for condemned
and abattoirs during outbreaks of common contagious
materials and biological waste. Relevant legislation for
and listed diseases of slaughter-stock.
waste and effluent management will be described and
its use in the red meat/game industry in South Africa
explained. The meaning of the “carbon footprint” in
production animals will be discussed and species
differences highlighted. Management strategies for
reducing the environmental impacts of producing and
processing red meat and game will be critically
evaluated.
Other relevant information
 Meat hygiene: Zoonoses and red meat processing
 Meat hygiene: Integrated food safety management
principles for red meat
 Meat hygiene: Humane harvesting and welfare
auditing in red meat processing
 Meat hygiene: Prevention and control of chemical
contaminants and drug residues in red meat.
More information can be found under the topic
International
trade
and
marketing
of
animal
commodities and products:

General issues associated with international trade

Standards and norms associated with international
trade in animal commodities and products

Assuring the biological safety of animal production
(value) chains.