Proceedings of the 10th International Colloquium on Paratuberculosis

#203
Milk quality assurance for paratuberculosis in <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands
Weber MF 1 , Lam TJGM 1 , Franken P 1 .
1 GD Animal Health Service, PO Box 9, 7400 AA Deventer, The Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands
INTRODUCTION
A bulk milk quality assurance program (BMQAP) for paratuberculosis in Dutch dairy herds
was initiated in 2006. The aim <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> BMQAP is to reduce <strong>the</strong> concentration <strong>of</strong>
Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) in milk delivered to <strong>the</strong> milk factories.
The BMQAP is run alongside <strong>the</strong> pre-existing ‘Intensive Paratuberculosis Program’ (IPP;
aiming at elimination <strong>of</strong> Map and low-risk trade <strong>of</strong> cattle).
PROGRAM
The BMQAP starts with an initial assessment consisting <strong>of</strong> a single herd examination. Testnegative
herds enter a surveillance procedure consisting <strong>of</strong> biennial herd examinations and
are assigned ‘Status A’ (formerly ‘green’). Test-positive herds enter a control procedure
consisting <strong>of</strong> annual herd examinations and are assigned ‘Status B’ if test-positives are
culled and ‘Status C’ o<strong>the</strong>rwise (formerly ‘red’). Herd examinations consist <strong>of</strong> a milk-ELISA <strong>of</strong>
all lactating cattle. Milk samples regularly collected for Milk Production Registration are used
for testing. ELISA results may be confirmed by individual fecal culture.
The program promotes preventive management measures to reduce <strong>the</strong> risk <strong>of</strong> introduction
and spread <strong>of</strong> Map in participating herds.
RESULTS
Results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> program achieved in 2006 and 2007 were presented at <strong>the</strong> 9ICP
(Weber and van Schaik, 2007). The results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> program are in line with our
expectations based on modeling studies, presented at 8ICP (van Roermund et al.,
2005; Weber et al., 2005). The program turned out to be farmer friendly, easy to
communicate, and easy to manage.
Based on <strong>the</strong> results achieved in 2006 and 2007, <strong>the</strong> Dutch dairy processing
industries have taken <strong>the</strong> lead to increase <strong>the</strong> uptake <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> BMQAP. In 2008, <strong>the</strong>
majority <strong>of</strong> costs for participating farmers were covered by <strong>the</strong> dairy processing
industries. This resulted in a major increase <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> uptake <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> BMQAP. By June
1st, 2009, approximately 17,000 (85%) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 20,000 Dutch dairy herds participated
in <strong>the</strong> BMQAP, alongside approximately 450 (2%) herds in <strong>the</strong> IPP (Fig. 1).
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The Dutch dairy industries have decided that by 2010 all Dutch dairy herds delivering
milk to <strong>the</strong>ir factories are required to participate in ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> BMQAP or <strong>the</strong> IPP.
Moreover, by 2011 all herds are required to have at least status ‘A’ or ‘B’.
CONCLUSION
It is concluded that <strong>the</strong> bulk milk quality assurance program attracts increasing
numbers <strong>of</strong> participants, is appreciated by <strong>the</strong> Dutch dairy industries, and is a
practical and attractive way to assign a herd-status in relation to <strong>the</strong> aim <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
program.
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