Prevent E. coli O157 contamination on farms
April, 2010
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, recently announced that a survey conducted among a random sample of 771 Canadian beef and dairy farmers in all regions of Canada showed that the majority are willing to implement changes on the farm to prevent contamination by E. coli O157.
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. has developed and licensed (in Canada) the world's first vaccine to reduce the shedding by cattle of E. coli O157. EconicheTM received full licensing approval from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in October 2008 and is available for unrestricted use by Canadian cattle producers and their veterinarians. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) cleared the path for a conditional license for the vaccine in February 2008 and the company is awaiting issuance of that license.
In the independently conducted survey, just over half of the producers surveyed expressed a willingness to vaccinate, but there was sensitivity to the potential cost of a vaccination program. Those surveyed believe the cost of a national vaccination program, if it were to be implemented, should be shared between government and producers, with 88% of respondents expressing willingness to vaccinate if the vaccine was provided free of charge. Their main reasons for supporting vaccination were: food safety, the potential impact of recalls and access to export markets.
"The use of chlorinated water, bacteriophages and probiotics help control the organisms, but vaccination provides the greatest reduction in fecal shedding," said Dr. Roy Lewis, a large animal veterinarian in Westlock, Alberta. |
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