Perception of animal welfare and its certification system by Brazilian consumers and dairy farmers

The practices adopted in dairy farms can positively or negatively affect the perception of consumers. To meet consumer expectations and improve the productivity of dairy farms, a welfare certification system has recently been initiated in Brazil. In this research communication we describe the perceptions of Brazilian consumers and farmers regarding the implementation of welfare certification systems and the most common practices that affect animal welfare on dairy farms. For this purpose, two semi-structured questionnaires were used: one applied to 409 consumers and the other to 158 dairy farmers. The results demonstrate that consumers are concerned with the adoption of welfare practices in animal husbandry at dairy farms, mainly on topics related to movement restriction and cow-calf separation. Thus, the majority of consumers state that they are willing to pay more for welfare-certified dairy products. In addition, most dairy farmers are interested in adopting a welfare certification system, especially if it could add value to the raw milk sold to industries. Veterinarians and animal scientists are important for disseminating animal welfare recommendations, and the consequences of its improper adoption need to be emphasized. Finally, dairy farms need improvements regarding environmental hygiene, thermal conditions, animal husbandry, health, and milking processes. In conclusion, consumers and farmers are interested in welfare systems and their certification, and there is a need for stakeholders to make welfare certification a reality in the Brazilian dairy supply chain.

Bovine cysticercosis in the State of São Paulo, Brazil: Prevalence, risk factors and financial losses for farmers

Taenia saginata is the causative agent of bovine cysticercosis (BCC) and human taeniasis, two diseases that have economical and public health importance, respectively. This research focused on determining BCC prevalence in the state of São Paulo state, Brazil, in the period of 2017-2019, as well as associating risk factors related to disease occurrence and estimate the economic impact to beef producers. Data from 6,277,758 bovine carcasses originating from 571 municipalities and 15 different mesoregions in the state of São Paulo was gathered and analyzed. Cysticerci were detected in a total of 88,700 carcasses at meat inspection, resulting in an apparent prevalence of 1.41 % (C.I. 95 % 1.40-1.42 %). BCC was widespread in this state and its spatial distribution varied in municipalities and mesoregions. The variable number of milking cows in the municipality was significantly associated (OR = 1.48, p = 0.00) with BCC cases, conversely, the presence of peasant's settlements in the municipality was a protective factor (OR = 0.49, p = 0.02). Financial losses for cattle farmers were estimated at US$ 5,829,103.99. The results of this research show that there is still room for implementation of bovine cysticercosis control measures in endemic areas, aiming to reduce financial losses to farmers as well as reduction of human taeniasis cases in the population.

Epidemiology of bovine cysticercosis and associated economic losses in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Bovine cysticercosis (BCC) is the most frequently detected zoonosis in Brazilian slaughterhouses and is considered a problem for public health and beef production chain, requiring epidemiological studies focusing on evaluating its prevalence, spatial distribution, and economic losses in order to improve and adopt specific strategies for BCC control. Thus, this study focused to establish BCC prevalence and spatial distribution in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and estimate the economic losses for cattle farmers suppliers of one exporter slaughterhouse. A set of 70,591 bovine carcasses were postmortem inspected from 2019 to 2020, which came from 134 municipalities located in eight distinct regions in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The prevalence found was 3.44% (C.I. 95% 3.30-3.57%), and animals infected with unviable cysticerci were more frequently detected (70.56%) than those carrying viable ones (29.44%). The most frequent destination of carcasses and viscera was non-export (65.48%), followed by freezing/salting (25.41%), heat treatment (8.74%), and rendering (0.37%), resulting in a total economic burden of at least US$ 167,868.53 for cattle farmers. Some regions had higher risk for BCC occurrence, such as Porto Alegre, Caxias do Sul, Santa Maria, Ijuí, and Passo Fundo (OR > 1, p < 0.05), respectively. These results highlight the need of adopting prophylactic measures, mainly in specific areas, in order to control BCC and reduce the economic losses for beef production chain.