The Food Standards Agency in Scotland has published a report summarising the outcomes of a stakeholder event on campylobacter research held on 17 June 2009 at Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh.
The main aims of this event were to inform interested stakeholders on the findings of research projects funded through the FSA in Scotland’s research programme on campylobacter, and to identify key recommendations for policy and future research that may be taken forward by the FSA and other relevant stakeholders.
The report presents the key findings and conclusions from research presentations and an overview of discussion sessions to identify priorities for the FSA in Scotland’s future programme on campylobacter.
Recommendations for future work in this area include:
– Research to identify the most effective on-farm intervention strategies to reduce campylobacter in poultry and to measure the outcomes of interventions. Studies to improve understanding of chicken and human host responses to campylobacter were also identified as important research target areas.
– Effective implementation of biosecurity messages, promotion of good hygiene practices in slaughterhouses and education for consumers on food safety were identified as most important targets for intervention.
– Production of clear guidance for GPs on reporting practices for suspected cases of campylobacteriosis was identified as a means of improving surveillance, investigation and reporting of campylobacter infection in Scotland.
Source: UK Food Standards Agency (FSA)