Prevalence and economic losses associated with foetal wastage in abattoir.

BACKGROUND: Both male and female food animals are slaughtered for meat. Some cows, ewes and does  slaughtered are found with viable foetuses resulting in foetal wastage and loss of future replacement stock. Foetal wastage accounts for about 20%-25% of the decline in livestock numbers in sub-Saharan Africa. Slaughter of pregnant cows, ewes and does results in economic losses and threatens food security with consequent decrease in available animal proteins to the fast growing human population. Protein requirement for healthy human development is inadequate in most developing countries including Uganda. The prevalence and economic losses associated with foetal wastage were assessed in an abattoir. OBJECTIVES: The study was cnducted to assess the prevalence of feotal wastage at the study abattoir and estimate the associated economic losses. METHODS: The researchers supported by abattoir resident meat inspectors examined all slaughtered female animals during the study period. Gravid uteri obtained from slaughtered animals after dressing of carcasses were eviscerated using a sharp knife across the long axis to recover foetuses. The crown rump lengths (CRLs) of the recovered foetuses were measured using a tape measure, weighed on a scale and categorised into first, second and third trimesters. Prevalence of pregnant animals slaughtered was determined by calculating the percentage of pregnant animals over the total number of female animals slaughtered. Economic losses were estimated based on the monetary losses at birth, weaning, maturity, and carcass loss at weaning and maturity. RESULTS: The aggregate slaughters were bovine 604 (73.6%), caprine 169 (20.6%) and ovine 48 (5.9%). The overall prevalence of foetal wastage was 21.9%. The aggregate prevalence of foetal wastage by species include 160 (88.9%) cows, 8 (4.4%) heifers, 4 (2.2%) does and 8 (4.4%) ewes. Foetal wastage of cows by trimester included 62 (38.8%), 26 (16.25%) and 72 (45.0%) in first, second and third trimesters, respectively, translating into loss of US$13,055. Foetal wastage was high and the associated economic losses were substantial which undermines sustainability of the national herd. Farmers should be sensitised about the economic losses and long-term impact associated with foetal wastage and dissuaded from this practice. A policy is needed to deter farmers from selling pregnant animals for slaughter. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 168 bovine, 8 caprine and 12 ovine foetuses were wasted within 60 days study period. These foetal wastages translated to US$ 13,224 monetary losses at birth, US$ 31,849 monetary loss at weaning and US$ 57,0896 monetary loss at maturity.

Economic effects of foot and mouth disease outbreaks along the cattle marketing chain in Uganda.

AIM: Disease outbreaks increase the cost of animal production; reduce milk and beef yield, cattle sales, farmers' incomes, and enterprise profitability. The study assessed the economic effects of foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks along the cattle marketing chain in selected study districts in Uganda. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study combined qualitative and quantitative study designs. Respondents were selected proportionally using simple random sampling from the sampling frame comprising of 224, 173, 291, and 185 farmers for Nakasongola, Nakaseke, Isingiro, and Rakai, respectively. Key informants were selected purposively. Data analysis combined descriptive, modeling, and regression analysis. Data on the socio-economic characteristics and how they influenced FMD outbreaks, cattle markets revenue losses, and the economic cost of the outbreaks were analyzed using descriptive measures including percentages, means, and frequencies. RESULTS: Farmers with small and medium herds incurred higher control costs, whereas large herds experienced the highest milk losses. Total income earned by the actors per month at the processing level reduced by 23%. In Isingiro, bulls and cows were salvage sold at 83% and 88% less market value, i.e., a loss of $196.1 and $1,552.9 in small and medium herds, respectively. CONCLUSION: All actors along the cattle marketing chain incur losses during FMD outbreaks, but smallholder farmers are most affected. Control and prevention of FMD should remain the responsibility of the government if Uganda is to achieve a disease-free status that is a prerequisite for free movement and operation of cattle markets throughout the year which will boost cattle marketing.

Bisphenol A and food safety: Lessons from developed to developing countries.

Modern lifestyles and changes in the socio-economic characteristics of households have stimulated current developments in food technology, processing and packaging. Chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) are known to migrate from food packaging into the food, resulting in human exposure to these chemicals. Similarly, BPA can migrate from baby feeding bottles into milk. BPA has been associated with adverse effects attributed to its estrogenic properties in various animal models. This review analyzed peer-reviewed publications in the English literature on human BPA exposure and regulations in developing countries compared to developed countries. BPA has been reduced or eliminated from food packaging and contact materials such as baby bottles in developed countries either voluntarily or by legislation. The meager data from developing countries shows that human BPA exposure in developing countries is similar to that in developed countries. With minor exceptions, BPA restriction, voluntary or legal, is virtually absent in developing countries of Africa, SE Asia, and South and Central America.