TABLE 3. Risks most frequently identified by the meat safety experts by processing stage Processing stage Most frequently identified risk Mitigation strategies used * None [AB] * Application guides for farmers [BC] Animal husbandry Poor animal health [AB][BC][MB][ON] * On-farm food safety programs [MB] * Veterinary inspections [ON] * Emergency management programs [ON] Animal feed Contamination of feed with SRM [AB] [BC] * SRM removal programs and protocols [AB][BC] Gaps identified * Lack of training for rural slaughter licensing [BC] * Lack of inspection without complaints [BC] * Lack of incentive to implement better practices [MB] * None [ON] * None [AB][BC] * Antemortem inspections [AB] Live animal transport Transportation of compromised animals [AB][MB] [ON] * On-farm slaughter to avoid transportation (e.g., mobile butcher programs) [AB] * None [AB][MB][ON] * On-farm food safety programs [MB] * Veterinary inspections [ON] Pre-slaughter storage Storage of diseased animals [BC][ON] * Monitoring and oversight through inspectors [BC] * Extension services (AB) * On-farm food safety programs [AB] [MB] * Education and training of personnel [BC] Slaughter Improper handling of SRM [AB][BC][SK] [MB][ON] * None [BC][ON] * Antemortem inspections [ON] * Plant management [BC] * Gaps in the common industry standard of handling specified risk materials [AB] * No oversight or inspection for Class D or E facilities [BC] * Visual inspections [BC][MB] * Lack of training for inspectors and staff [BC][MB] * Ante/postmortem inspections [BC] [ON] * None [ON] * Sanitation practices [ON][SK] * Sanitation regulations are out-dated, and updates will not include provisions for carcass inspection [SK] (Continued on next page) September/October Food Protection Trends 327