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