Food Protection Trends - February 2009 - 93

by milder winters, although habitat is also an important factor. Climate change may impact on wild bird movement and abundance. Thus, with milder winters in central Europe, for example, wintering wildfowl may be less likely to migrate into the Uk, reducing the risk of release of viruses such as avian influenza virus. Some insectivorous, long-distance migrant birds may decline in abundance due to loss of synchrony between between food supply and migration date (Both et al. 2006). Mutations in the pathogen which change the host range and ability to adapt to new niches many of the emerging viruses discussed here have rNA genomes. rNA viruses mutate rapidly because there is no proofreading activity during rNA replication. This gives genetic drift, and the ability of the virus to adapt to new niches. Furthermore, some of these viruses are segmented, i.e. have two or more rNA segments, which can be re-assorted during cross-infection giving genetic shift. Such segmented viruses include CCHFV, RVFV, BTV and AHSV. In the case of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in Mexico, a single amino acid substitution in the envelope glycoprotein has enabled adaptation of the virus to a new mosquito vector, Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus, which established after habitat change, namely deforestation (Brault et al. 2004). Another example is a single mutation in CHIkV that promotes infection in the mosquito Ae. albopictus over the recognized vector, Ae. aegypti (Tsetsarkin et al. 2007). This mutation increases the potential for CHIkV to extend its range into Europe and the Americas, where Ae. albopictus has established over the past 20 years (Medlock et al. 2006). Global Water and Related Food Safety for Industry and Consumers CHARLES GERBA, University of Arizona, Program in microbiology, Bldg. #90, Tucson, AZ 85721-0038, USA The importance of water quality has usually been overlooked in terms of its importance to food safety. It is not only essential in the growth of crops, but also in their processing. The microbial quality of this water is important in ensuring that contamination of produce does not occur during these events. Sewage contaminated irrigation water has long been associated with disease transmission. As a result the use of untreated sewage is forbidden in developed countries. However, nearly 70% of the irrigated cropland in the world is in developing countries were use of sewage and sewage contaminated waters is widespread. Because of the lack of standards and monitoring requirements the occurrence of enteric pathogens in irrigation water used for produce production not directly influenced by sewage discharges is largely unknown. Recent studies suggest that human pathogens occur in irrigation waters and may originate from many sources including wildlife, irrigation return flows, and storm water drainage. A better understanding of the ecology of pathogens in irrigation systems is needed as well as standards for the use of these waters for produce production. Such standards could be specific depending upon the irrigation method (drip, spry, flood) and crop dependent (pepper, melon, lettuce). Finally, microbial standards of process water used in washing and cooling need to be developed to control contamination. Animal-borne Viruses of Interest to the Food Industry MARION WoolDrIDGE, Veterinary laboratories Agency, Addlestone, Surrey kT15 3NB, Uk A number of viruses pathogenic to food animals have made headline news in Europe in the last few years, in particular highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), bluetongue (BT), and foot and mouth disease (FmD). However, these are not the only viral infections present or potentially present in European livestock. Others include classical swine fever (CSF), African swine fever (ASF), and swine vesicular disease (SVD), all present in Europe; Newcastle disease (ND), a bird disease with sporadic outbreaks in Europe; and Rift Valley fever (RVF), not currently in Europe, but a vector-borne disease the range of which may well expand due to climate change. Not all of the pathogens responsible are zoonotic – that is, cause disease in humans – but there are other ways in which these pathogens can affect the food industry; for example an outbreak may cause trade to be disrupted, or infected animals may be culled, leading to shortages of certain foods. Or there may be confusion, perhaps generated by media reports, which leads people to believe that the pathogen is zoonotic when it is not, and thus not buy the product. The presentation will distinguish between those pathogens considered to be zoonotic and those not, and consider possible food-associated transmission routes (where relevant) to humans and pets. The current geographical range will also be described, and the potential effects on this range due to climate change, trading patterns, and illegal movement of animals or their products, particularly where such effects might increase the risks within Europe. Finally, current or potential safeguards will be considered. SESSION 8: Hot Topics in Food Safety The Pros and Cons of Using Cloned Animals as Sources of Meat and Dairy Products: EU Versus US Perspective DAVID CArlANDEr, European Food Safety Authority, Scientific Committee and Advisory Forum Unit, largo N. Palli 5a, 43100 Parma, Italy In January 2008, the US FDA published their final risk assessment on animal cloning and in July the same year European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published their opinion. The EFSA opinion assessed the food safety, animal health, animal welfare and environmental implications of animal clones, obtained through somatic cell nucleus transfer (SCNT) technique, of their progeny and of the products obtained from those animals. The two risk assessments reach similar conclusions but their scopes are somewhat different as EFSA were also asked to also address animal welfare. FEBRUARY 2009 | FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS 93

Food Protection Trends - February 2009

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