Publication Abstract

Trout farms in the north-east of Italy: exploratory study on farming features and risk factors associated with disease exposure

More than 65% of the freshwater salmonid production yields in the north-east of Italy, with about 200 facilities - mainly trout farms for human consumption (THC farms) and a few others keeping their own brood stock for egg production. This paper aims to describe the main management characteristics of THC farms in this area and the risk factors related to diseases transmission. An exploratory study has been conducted in 37 randomly selected THC farms among the 168 present in the north-east of Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto and Trentino regions).

A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on farm characteristics, management and risk factors related to VHS introduction and spread, according to Decision 2008/896/EC.

A descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate either farm management profiles or risk factors related to introduction and spread of diseases.

Eight of the 37 evaluated farms (8/37) have the whole production cycle, keeping their own brood stocks, while twenty-nine (29/37) buy mainly eggs or fingerlings from other farms. Considering the type of production, twenty-two (22/37) farms grow fish for human consumption eleven (11/37) produce fish for human consumption and for restocking of put and take fisheries and four (4/37) release fish into the wild for restocking purposes. The average production is of 242 tons a year.

The main risk factors considered were: type of production, type of water supply of the farm, number of upstream and downstream fish farms, movement of fish, health status of source farms, the bio-security system applied at farm level. Preliminary results show that 59.5% of the selected farms grow fish for human consumption (95%CI 42.1-75.2), representing a minor risk factor for spreading diseases to other farms. As for the possibility of contracting diseases, 62.2% of the selected farms may be exposed to this risk due to the type of water supply (river water - 95%CI 44.7-77.5) while 33.3% of farms may be exposed as they receive fish from undetermined health status (category III, according to 2006/88 UE Directive) facilities (95%CI 14.6-56.9). To obtain a better overview of farm management characteristics and risk factors profile, this study will be completed trough the collection of the above mentioned data in all the facilities in the framework of the 2006/88 UE Directive. The work was undertaken in a cooperation Art 36 project "Risk categorization for Aquatic Animal Health surveillance" (CFP/EFSA/AHAW/2011/03) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

 

C. Ceolin, A. Fabris, M. Toson, L. Bortolotti; F. Gatti; L. Bille, C. Casarotto, B. Oidtmann* and M. Dalla Pozza

16th International Conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish, European Association of Fish Pathology, 2 – 6 September 2013, Tampere, Finland