Working Group 4
Biological Hazards

Photo by Daniel J. Drew (CC0)

The objective of WG 4: Biological Hazards is to collate and summarise the current knowledge on zoonotic meat-borne pathogens in game meat (Part A) and major hygiene risks for game meat (Part B) in Europe. The WG will utilise the collective expertise of its members to summarise available data, identify research gaps, facilitate the application of the One Health approach to fill them, and suggest best practice guidelines and harmonisation for relevant points along the GMC.

  • To provide an extensive overview of key meat-borne pathogens in game meat in Europe, covering their prevalence, host range and geographical spread, observed changes over time, available detection and characterisation methods and their limitations, public health importance and animal health implications, as well as possible control options.

Task 4.1.1 Review of literature on meat-borne pathogens in game meat in Europe.

Task 4.1.2 Training school and information material on the most relevant meat-borne pathogens in Europe.

  • To provide a prioritised list of knowledge, data gaps and methodological challenges (e.g. lack of validated detection methods, need to harmonise the methods used) to guide and coordinate impactful collaborative research efforts and enable inclusion of game in One Health surveillance.

Task 4.2 Compilation of a prioritised list of knowledge and data gaps and methodological challenges building on outcomes of work done in Task 4.1.1 as well as other relevant projects, e.g. One Health European Joint Programme, and taking into account the needs of stakeholders.

  • To provide an overview of major hygiene risks and critical points along the GMC, to suggest best practice guidelines for key aspects of game meat hygiene, as well as harmonised criteria for disqualification of game meat from the market.

Task 4.3 Workshop on identification of major hygiene risks and control points as well as best practice guidelines and harmonised criteria for disqualification of game meat from the market.

  • To provide an overview of the cold chain in relation to game meat, including availability and quality of cooling facilities, with focus on the critical points.

Task 4.4 Questionnaire survey on the starting point, maintenance and infrastructure (availability, quality of facilities) of the cold chain in relation to game meat.

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