NR AXTU
AU O'Hanlon,T.; Cummins,E.
TI Environmental Exposure Assessment of Scrapie Infectivity Following the Application of mMBM to Agricultural Land
QU International Conference - Prion 2007 (26.-28.9.2007) Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK - Book of Abstracts: Epidemiology, Risk Assessment and Transmission P04.113
IA http://www.prion2007.com/pdf/Prion Book of Abstracts.pdf
PT Konferenz-Poster
AB Current legislation in the European Union (European Commission regulation No. 1774/2002) allows member-states to use Category 3 waste (including mammalian Meat and Bone Meal (mMBM) derived from slaughtered animals fit for human consumption) as a fertiliser to be spread on non-pasture agricultural land. The objective of this study is to develop an environmental exposure assessment model for scrapie infectivity through environmental pathways following the application of mMBM-derived fertiliser to non-pasture agricultural land. The model uses Monte Carlo simulation techniques to account for parameter uncertainty and variability and consists of four specific modules: Farm, Slaughter, Rendering and mMBM Landspreading module. All modules are linked in order to calculate the probability of scrapie-infected mMBM being spread on non-pasture agricultural land and to give an estimate of the resulting exposure to scrapie infectivity. The model indicated an average scrapie infectivity of 3.46 x 10-8 ID50/tonne of soil on non-pasture agriculture land following the spreading of mMBM as a fertiliser. The mean ovine exposure level was estimated to be 3.39 x 10 -9ID50/annum. The model indicated a slightly higher exposure level during winter months due to the greater probability of soil (and hence infectivity) attachment to forage and subsequent animal consumption. A sensitivity analysis indicated that the initial prevalence of scrapie infected sheep and the rendering reduction were the most important input parameters, with correlation coefficients 0.70 and 0.45, respectively. The latter indicates the important role the rendering industry plays in minimising the transfer of scrapie infectivity. Due to the estimated low exposure levels of scrapieinfectivity on agricultural land, utilisation of mMBM as a fertiliser in Ireland is a feasible option without comprising animal health.
AD T. O'Hanlon, E. Cummins, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, UCD, Earlsfort Terrace, Biosystems Engineering, Ireland
SP englisch
PO Schottland