%0 Journal Article
%T A HACCP-based approach to mastitis control in dairy herds. Part 1: Development
%A Lies Beekhuis-Gibbon
%A Paul Whyte
%A Luke O'Grady
%A Simon J More
%A Michael L Doherty
%J Irish Veterinary Journal
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/2046-0481-64-2
%X Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a preventive risk management approach that has been extensively used by food industries to increase product safety and protect public health [1]. HACCP has been adapted to all stages of the food chain, and is now widely used in dairy and meat processing, and in retail and catering [2,3]. Following the introduction in the European Union of the 'Hygiene Package' in 2004, HACCP-based food safety management systems are now required at all stages of the food chain within the European Union, apart from primary production [4-6].As yet, agreement has not been reached on robust and practical systems relevant to food safety during primary livestock production. Several papers have examined the potential application of HACCP methods to livestock production [7-9]. However, the recent hygiene package [4], recommends exploration of the feasibility of the application of HACCP during primary production. As an alternative, significant emphasis has been placed on guides to good farming practice (GFP), to encourage the use of appropriate hygiene practices at farm level [4]. These guidelines represent minimum agricultural standards [10], and do not lend themselves to certification, nor do they properly demonstrate the current status of the dairy farm with regard to food safety, animal health and welfare. A more specific approach to managing risks through the application of HACCP at farm level should be more effective in addressing these issues as well as being amenable to certification.In many European countries, practicing veterinarians have introduced herd health programmes, specifically focusing on animal health and fertility management. Widespread adoption of herd health programmes has been problematic. In a recent United Kingdom (UK) report on veterinary expertise in food animal production, there was a perception among farmers that veterinary input was too focussed on individual animal care, did not 'add value' and was not targ
%U http://www.irishvetjournal.org/content/64/1/2