Pathogens and Piggery Effluent - An Updated Review

Abstract

Intensive animal farming can impact both on aspects of human health, either at a farming level or as a consequence of managing wastes generated. The concentration of animal farming adjacent to urban areas, soil and water environments can be impacted by commonly adopted farming or waste management practices. This means that the pig industry needs a solid scientific basis to demonstrate safe and sustainable use, both at a farming and waste (effluent) management level. Food-safety i.e. the environmental movement of food-safety pathogens both within and external to the environment is increasingly becoming an emerging area of concern. The significance of this issue was recognised nearly 20 years ago, and in response, the pig industry funded two projects, that were undertaken at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Animal Research Institute, Yeerongpilly , Queensland from 1998 - 2004. The two studies (a) “Pathogens and piggery effluent” (DAQ 60/1353) and (b) “Establishing guidelines for the safe application of piggery waste to pastures” (Project no. 1797) provided literature knowledge, research studies and explored approaches to address microbial risks. This work has been summarised and addressed in the context of both previous and recent literature, to provide a comprehensive summary on the environmental movement and management of food and water-borne pathogens as a consequence of piggery effluent re-use.