Download Meat and meat products from ruminants and pigs - Draft import risk analysis (February 2014)

Imported meat has the potential to harbour exotic organisms that may be harmful to human and animal health. This qualitative biosecurity risk analysis examines the biosecurity risks associated with the importation of meat derived from ruminants and pigs, for human consumption, and also any meat commodity imported for any purpose (e.g. pet food).

An extensive list of organisms that could potentially be associated with meat has been collated and filtered through specific criteria to derive a list of preliminary hazards. These preliminary hazards were subjected to individual hazard identification whereby the epidemiology of the organism was discussed. Any organisms identified as a hazard were subjected to risk assessment to provide a risk estimate that assesses the likelihood of entry (the disease agent being present in meat at the time of importation), and exposure (likelihood of susceptible animals being exposed and subsequent spread and establishment), and any adverse consequences likely to follow these events.

In total, this risk analysis comprises 34 risk assessments. As a result of these individual risk assessments, 13 organisms or disease agents are classified as risks. Accordingly, for each of these, risk management options are presented.

The pathogens identified as posing a biosecurity risk when importing meat and meat products derived from ruminants and pigs are: African swine fever virus, aujeszky’s disease virus, Bacillus anthracis, Brucella spp., the agent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, classical swine fever virus, Coenurus cerebralis, Echinococcus granulosus, foot and mouth disease virus, Nipah virus, Salmonella spp., swine vesicular disease virus, and Trichinella spp.