Food Safety in Free-Range and Organic Livestock Systems: Risk Management and Responsibility

A. Kijlstra^1,2, B. G. Meerburg³ and A. P. Bos¹

Abstract
Animal production systems that offer outdoor access to the animals have become increasingly popular in the Western world due to the growing general discontent of consumers with conventional bioindustrial farming practices. These open production systems offer improved animal welfare but may create new problems for animal health, resulting in increased food safety risks from bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections or environmental contaminants. Examples of these new problems include increased Toxoplasma gondii infections in pigs and high dioxin levels in eggs from free-range hens.

In this review, the relation between positive and negative points of free-range and organic livestock production systems is discussed with reference to production in The Netherlands. We investigated how proponents of more animal welfare friendly systems deal with potential negative issues in public and whether any risk communication is used.

Generally, we found that the existence of a dilemma is disputed or avoided in communication with the consumer. This avoidance could be detrimental for public trust in alternative animal production systems, should problems occur. To prevent future problems, it will be necessary to communicate about the relevant types and sources of the food safety risks to the consumers. The responsibility for protecting food safety should be properly divided among the various parties involved: producers, processors, governments, nongovernmental organizations, and consumers.

Source
Journal of Food Protection (2009) 72: 12: 2629-2637

Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
(2) Eye Research Institute Maastricht, Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
(3) Plant Research International, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 616, 6700 AP Wageningen, The Netherlands

Posted September 2010


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Research Extension Courses Consumers -------------------------- Virtual Tours Student & Job Opportunities News Articles Standards -------------------------- Market Information Events Issues Animal Welfare Strategic Plans -------------------------- Links Award-winners Site Map	Food Safety in Free-Range and Organic Livestock Systems: Risk Management and Responsibility A. Kijlstra^1,2, B. G. Meerburg³ and A. P. Bos¹ *Abstract* Animal production systems that offer outdoor access to the animals have become increasingly popular in the Western world due to the growing general discontent of consumers with conventional bioindustrial farming practices. These open production systems offer improved animal welfare but may create new problems for animal health, resulting in increased food safety risks from bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections or environmental contaminants. Examples of these new problems include increased Toxoplasma gondii infections in pigs and high dioxin levels in eggs from free-range hens. In this review, the relation between positive and negative points of free-range and organic livestock production systems is discussed with reference to production in The Netherlands. We investigated how proponents of more animal welfare friendly systems deal with potential negative issues in public and whether any risk communication is used. Generally, we found that the existence of a dilemma is disputed or avoided in communication with the consumer. This avoidance could be detrimental for public trust in alternative animal production systems, should problems occur. To prevent future problems, it will be necessary to communicate about the relevant types and sources of the food safety risks to the consumers. The responsibility for protecting food safety should be properly divided among the various parties involved: producers, processors, governments, nongovernmental organizations, and consumers. *Source* Journal of Food Protection (2009) 72: 12: 2629-2637 *Author Locations and Affiliations* (1) Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands (2) Eye Research Institute Maastricht, Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands (3) Plant Research International, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 616, 6700 AP Wageningen, The Netherlands Posted September 2010
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Food Safety in Free-Range and Organic Livestock Systems: Risk Management and Responsibility

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