PUBLIC-HEALTH HAZARDS OF MEAT FROM SMALL RUMINANTS - THE PERSPECTIVE OF AUSTRALIA

The production of meat from sheep and goats in Australia occurs almost entirely at pasture in zones known as the semi-arid pastoral zone, th e wheat-sheep zone (where sheep and crops form an agricultural rotatio n system) and the high rainfall zone. Each zone has particular factors which affect the human health hazards associated with sheep and goat meat and the opportunities for prevention. The authors provide an over view of small ruminant production in Australia and a synopsis of the d iseases encountered, including the factors which influence epidemiolog y. Animal health arrangements for underwriting food safety at the pre- harvest and post-harvest stages of production in Australia are also ou tlined. Specific public health hazards related to sheep and goat meat, together with measures for prevention, are considered under the headi ngs of zoonoses, enteropathogens and chemical residues.