Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Salmonella spp. are widespread in nature; however, human infections occur mainly through ingestion of contaminated food, specially poultry and eggs. In Brazil, the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) oversees food production in general, with the goal of preventing transmission of pathogens through the food chain. In 2004, MAPA initiated a program to monitor and control levels of Salmonella in poultry during slaughter. This study analyzes isolates from MAPA's program for β-lactam resistance and the resistance genes involved, as well as the geographic distributions of potentially clonal populations of resistant isolates within Brazil. Initially, 1,939 Salmonella spp. isolated between 2004 and 2011 were examined. These isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, and 100 isolates resistant or intermediate to ampicillin and ceftriaxone were screened initially for the presence of blaSHV, blaTEM, blaOXA, blaPSA, blaCMY-1, and blaCMY-2 genes. There were 55 isolates whose resistance genes were not identified by this panel and these isolates are the subject of this report. These 55 isolates were differentiated into 31 distinct ribogroups, with multiple β-lactam resistance genes, including AmpC blaCMY, blaTEM, blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-8, and blaCTX-M-14. Isolates carrying variants of blaCTX-M were identified in three geographic regions. Salmonella carrying particular genetic variants of blaCTX-M and belonging to the same ribogroup were identified from multiple poultry slaughtering facilities. In some instances, these presumptive clonal-related isolates were from facilities over 300 miles apart, indicating potential clonal spread between two geographic regions. This is the first report of blaCTX-M-1 and blaCTX-M-14 in Salmonella in Brazil.

Abstract The cabinets of the European Commission are seen to play a crucial role in the policy‐making process. So far, however, they have in many respects remained ‘black boxes’. In this article we ‘unpack’ the demographic composition in terms of nationality of three commissions' cabinets . The standard portrayal of cabinets has been that of national enclaves and points of access. Reforms during the period have required a more multinational composition. Our study shows that not only have the new rules been implemented: the new formal requirements have become over‐fulfilled and increasingly so. In 2004, 96 per cent of the cabinets contained more nationalities than formally prescribed and 57 per cent of the personnel were non‐compatriots of their respective commissioners. Based on studies of comparable phenomena, it is reason to believe that decomposition of a particular demographical cluster within an organizational unit reduces the impact of such demographical factors on officials' decision behaviour.

Nine years after the reactor accident in Chernobyl contamination by radiocesium is still a significant problem in sheep and reindeer production in Norway. To reduce the impact of the accident, effective countermeasures had to be developed and implemented. The levels of radiocesium in meat were reduced by a combination of countermeasures such as special feeding, use of cesium binders (bentonite and Prussian blue), and changing of slaughtering time. The countermeasures were labor intensive and expensive. Costs per averted dose per person-Sv were calculated to range from NOK 1,000 to 100,000 (7 NOK = $1 U.S.), with the use of cesium binders being the least expensive and condemnation of meat the most costly. Dietary advice, which did not include any compensation costs, had a cost of NOK 40 per person-Sv. Apart from the rejection of meat in 1986, countermeasures were deemed to be justified on a cost-benefit basis (less than NOK 600,000 per person-Sv).

Abstract Patulin was extracted from apple juice with ethyl acetate and the extract was purified by elution from a silica gel column with ethyl acetate-toluene. The eluate was concentrated, and patulin was determined by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography using a 25 cm PartisiI-10 ODS column. The lower detection limit was 1 μg/L and the mean recovery of patulin added to apple juice was 82.6± 2.8%. The patulin content ranged from <1 to 220 μg/L for the 140 samples analyzed.

Abstract In order to collect information on the abundance and distribution of moulds, with special reference to Fusarium, Penicillium and Aspergillus in deteriorated grains, a mycological investigation was carried out. A total of 73 samples (barley, oats, wheat) were examined. The number of colony-forming units of moulds per g sample varied from 1.2x104 to 9.9x107, with a mean value of 7.4x106. The penicillia which were the predominant group of moulds, were demonstrated in 99% of the samples. Sixteen species of Penicillium were demonstrated, with Penicillium puberulum (Bain.), Penicillium brevicompactum (Dierckx), Penicillium viridicatum (Westling) and Penicillium melanochlorum (comb. nov. Frisvad) as the four most frequent organisms. Fusarium spp. were demonstrated in 75% of the samples. Twelve Fusarium spp. were demonstrated, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium tricinctum being the three most frequent. Aspergillus spp. were demonstrated in 29% of the samples, though rarely quantitatively dominant. The most frequent aspergilli were Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus. Key Words: NorwayoatsbarleywheatdeterioratedPenicilliumAspergillusFusarium

Abstract A mycological survey was carried out on samples of compound animal feed of good quality in order to collect information regarding the occurrence of mould species with special reference to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. Seventy-two samples of standard swine feed, and 75 samples of hen feed were examined. The number of colony-forming units of moulds per gram varied from 1x103 to 2.5x105, with a mean of 3.6x104. Twenty-nine species of Penicillium were demonstrated, among which Penicillium aurantiogriseum (Dierckx), Penicillium melanochlorum (comb. nov. Frisvad), Penicillium viridicatum (Westling) and Penicillium puberulum (Bain.) were represented most commonly. The frequencies of six Penicillium spp. were significantly different in the two categories of feed. Six Fusarium spp. were demonstrated among which Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium poae were the most frequent. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus candidus were the aspergilli most frequently found in the samples of hen feed.

Comprehensive analyses of soil properties of sites of native Scandinavian broadleaved tree species were performed in 36 habitats in East Norway. The material consisted of stands of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.), white birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.), black alder (Alnus glutinosa Gaertn.), speckled alder (Alnus incana Moench.), European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl.). The main objective was to describe the vertical characteristics and variations in some selected soil variables of the soil profiles. Particular soil horizons of 15 Brunisolic soils, 11 Regosolic soils, 6 Gleysolic and 4 Podzolic were sampled and analyzed for soil texture, bulk density, specific density, porosity, oxidizable carbon, total nitrogen content, pH in water, exchangeable acidity, exchangeable cations and anions (Mg, Ca, Mn, Al, S, Fe, B, P and K), cation exchange capacity and base saturation. No regular patterns were found in selected soil properties when tested between various soil units in silver birch stands. Furthermore, silver birch stands were found on sites, which topsoil (i) significantly differed in their cation exchange capacities, (ii) did not differ significantly in their pH values, and (iii) mostly differed in their clay contents and (iv) mostly did not differ in BS. Differences among the Humic Regosols, Luvic Gleysols, Sombric Brunisols, Eutric Brunisols and Humo-Ferric Podzols for silver birch stands in their topmost horizons of humified organic matter intimately mixed with the mineral fraction horizons and differences among particular soil horizons for the main soil properties under all the selected broadleaved tree species stands are discussed.

A broken food system has resulted in a wide disparity between food producers and consumers, undermining the perceived link between food and nature. It is therefore important to re-create the relationship with food when co-designing future solutions. This requires new tools and a new set of skills among food designers. Designing with empathy is well known from design processes as a way to respect human experiences. We therefore question if empathy for food can be used when co-designing the food system of tomorrow? The purpose of this paper is to explore what empathy means in food design, and how empathy for food can be created among users and stakeholders involved in the design process. The aim is to contribute to strengthening food design as a field that can contribute to tackle future food-related challenges in a responsible way.

summary Multifunctional Excuse? Agriculture ‐ Real Concerns, or Just an Excuse? Economic trade theories show that rational governments would not subsidize their farmers but would support free trade and ensure that comparative advantages were exploited. Despite this, governments all over the world choose to subsidize their agricultural sector. We must recognize that agricultural food production is different from other types of production. No country can afford to put an end to the environmental, cultural and national identity issues associated with domestic food production. International systems for trade and economic cooperation must take into account that conditions vary greatly between countries, and room must therefore be left for domestic adjustments that suit nationally defined goals, values and conditions. Norway has particularly challenging conditions for agricultural production with a harsh climate and low population density Still the multifunctional values of agricultural production are goals in themselves and in certain cases these values cannot be produced without agricultural production itself. Theorists must take this into account in developing useful theoretical models that will help us politicians develop good policies. This is also true for values and costs that future environmental challenges, like climate change, will offer. Economic researchers are faced with the challenge of including both non‐tradable values as well as environmental concerns when shaping future economic models.