Prävalenz latenter Zoonoseerreger in tierfreundlicher Schweineproduktion

Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia (Y.) enterocolitica are the most important bacterial zoonoses in pig production. The objective of this study was to Investigate their prevalence in fattening pigs and in pork. Furthermore, the effect of two Swiss animal-friendly housing programs, 'improved loose housing systems' (BTS) and 'regular access to outdoor facilities' (RAUS) on load of these pathogens in pigs and pork was evaluated. A total of 352 faecal pool samples (5 samples each) was taken from 41 conventional and 47 animal-friendly farms and cultured for all three microorganisms. From a group of pigs from each farm, meat samples were collected at the slaughterhouse and the presence of anti-Salmonella spp. antibodies was tested by meat juice analysis in the 1430 muscle tissue samples thus obtained. Additionally, in 283 retail stores, 865 samples of fresh pork were taken and culture was performed for all three microorganisms. Salmonella spp. was found in samples from two farms (2.3 %), however, all samples of pork were found to be negative. On 98.9 % of the fattening farms Campylobacter spp. was isolated but on retail level, only 0.2 % of the pork samples were found positive. Y. enterocolitica was found in samples from 63.3 % of the farms, but in only 15.4 % of pork samples. For all three bacteria, there was no statistically significant difference between the two housing systems. Our results document that it Is possible to produce pork under animal-friendly conditions without decreasing food safety.