Feed’s role in FMD: exploring the transmission risks
The risk of transmission of foot and mouth disease (FMD) by animal feed is small. A research project from EFSA and various German institutions shows that such transmission could occur only under special and rare circumstances. Even after virus was added to various feedstuffs, there was no sign of the virus after a short time, their research showed. However, transmission can occur through feed-related activities, such as transport, other materials, or the movement of people.
Pig and cattle farms
Dr Hemann-Josef Baaken, spokesman for the management of the German organisation for animal feed Deutschen Verbandes Tiernahrung e.V. (DVT), said: “Animal feed producers are very much aware of the dangers and their responsibility. The biggest danger in the transmission of FMD to pig holdings is through people, material, infected live animals or infected food products.”
He added: “We have informed all our members of the importance to take every possible hygiene precaution, and we assume that the companies follow our advice. This means the application of disinfectants, wearing protective clothing, and also following the relevant biosecurity rules for pig and cattle farms and recommending those rules to others too.”
Safety first
The advice does not only apply to feed companies but also to their sub-suppliers and workplace traffic. DVT also asks feed companies to hold online meetings instead of physical meetings with their clients wherever it is possible, also to thoroughly disinfect the wheels, wheel covers and other parts of the transport vehicles after each visit and to shut doors and gates of the visited premises after a visit.
Baaken added: “It’s very clear – these biosecurity measures should be followed at all times, not just when there is a real risk or danger. Feed companies have already adhered to the general hygiene measures of HACCP. In the mix feed industry, the slogan is ‘Safety first’. The awareness is at a very high level and nobody has an interest – also from an economic point of view – to introduce a serious animal disease.”
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