Food safety A practical approach at farm level Tony Pettit. Kildalton College, Ireland
Dec 22, 2015
Food safety
A practical approach at farm level
Tony Pettit.
Kildalton College, Ireland
Teagasc
Irish Agriculture & Food Development Authority
Research Farm advice Training
Personal Experience
Farm Adviser Beef Specialist Food Assurance Programme Leader Study of Irish farmer & adviser attitudes
Kildalton College
Teagasc Food Assurance Programme
Key objectives Increase awareness (farmers, advisers) Develop + deliver training modules Work with industry & state agencies
Food safety at farm level
Farmers are food producers Key link in food chain Farm food safety is important Most produce safe food
3 components of food safety
Rules & standards Independent controls & checks Proactive food safety systems
Increasing food safety requirements at farm level
What is the challenge?
Farmers to understand & apply food
safety principles:
consciously proactively systematically
How can we help farmers?
1. Recognize concerns
2. Be realistic
3. Be clear
4. Make the rules practical
5. Can we do more?
1. Recognise farmer concerns
Important issue Farmer role Market angle Personal values
Threat? Credibility?*
Top down? Negative press?
Complex attitudes to food safety
*(imports, supermarkets)
Are farmer attitudes important?
Food safety – ‘politicized’ Producers may be angry, defensive
Food safety can be a ‘hard sell’
2. Be realistic on farmer capabilities
EU farming profile Small holdings Family labour Part time farmers Age & education
Farmer has many roles
Stock person Business manager Administrator Environmental manager Quality controller Family duties/ part time
It is possible to regulate beyond capabilities
Match expectations to system
Extensive
beef system
Average size dairy farm
Intensive
pig system
Intensive
Horticulture
3. Be clear on ‘why’ and ‘how’
Clear messages are essential Is there a strong penalty/reward? Are consequences visible or remote? Are the controls practical/achievable
Farm food safety must be focused & meaningful
4.Make the rules practical
Legislation far too complex Need farm codes of practice Good farm assurance schemes help
Rules & controls are not the sole answer
5. Can we do more to help farmers?
EU Farm policy Agri-food industry Training & awareness Farm advice
Important areas
Recent EU Farm Policy Changes Help
EU support payments tied to food safety
Increases relevance for farmer Farmers respond to ‘schemes’ ‘Farm advisory system’ to help farmers?
Agri – food industry can help
Processors next link in supply chain Outline the bigger food chain picture Educate farmer suppliers on ‘why’ Feedback information (e.g. pathogens)
Training & Awareness Programs
Need more emphasis on farmer training
Help farmers understand key principles Voluntary but recognised programs Short, practical & participative, farm checklists
What Training Objectives?
Understand basic hazard analysis principles Farm biological, chemical, physical hazards Be able to apply to own farm
Practical example – livestock medicines
Farm Inputs •Feed•Water•Medicines•Agro-chemicals•Detergents etc•Fertilisers•Additives•Purchased Stock•Breeding Stock
Activities/Procedures•Cleaning/Hygiene•Milking routine•Feeding /Nutrition•Husbandry activities•Veterinary activities•Bio-security• Crop spraying •Recording/Monitoring
Farm Facilities •Animal housing• Stores -feed, crops -chemicals etc•Milking Machine•Bulk Tanks•Machinery
Food safety covers the production process
Advise farmers on best farm practice
Summary
Farming is a food business Most farmers produce safe food Pressure to demonstrate best farm practice
Need much more emphasis on helping farmers