o:3397 Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play en In the last decades, a risk-based approach has been identified as a step forward in modernising meat safety system in Europe. Risk categorisation of abattoirs based on their process hygiene and the appropriate use of harmonised epidemiological indicators (HEIs) has been suggested as one essential component of the risk-based meat safety assurance system. However, to date, only a limited number of papers have investigated abattoir risk categorisation. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (i) provide an overview of the use of risk categorisation systems in poultry, pig, cattle and small ruminant abattoirs in Europe and (ii) explore the criteria, relevance and applicability of risk categorisation systems for competent authorities (CAs). To that aim, a questionnaire was designed and sent to representatives of 35 European CAs. Of the 18/35 respondents (51%), 14 (78%) indicated that abattoirs in their country are categorised according to their food safety risk in a systematic way, whilst four countries (22%) do not categorise abattoirs according to their food safety risk. The main reported purpose of categorising abattoirs is to adapt the frequency of official controls. Major differences in the described categorisation systems were found between countries, particularly in their complexity and the criteria used. The number of included criteria ranged from 1 to 10, the main ones being the outcomes of the CA’s official audits (78% of the 14 countries), the size of abattoirs (64%), the relevance and credibility of HACCP plans (57%) and export agreements of abattoirs (43%). Less than a third of the surveyed countries indicated they utilise results of microbiological testing as a basis for risk categorisation of abattoirs, and no country has formally included HEIs in its risk categorisation system. The effectiveness of the mplemented risk categorisation systems was assessed in five countries only (36%), but with the use of unclear methodology and assessment criteria. More than 80% of respondents expressed their wish to be provided with a practical method for categorising abattoirs according to their pertained food safety risks. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate the need to develop a fit-for-purpose and science-based framework for risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe. Risk categorisation, Meat safety assurance, Meat inspection, Abattoir, Process hygiene, Carcass 1552099 10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.109863 2023-11-28T12:11:12.112Z 44 yes 46 Morgane Salines French Ministry of Agriculture, Office for Slaughterhouses and Cutting Plants, France Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play Thomai Lazou Laboratory of Animal Food Products Hygiene-Veterinary Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play person Jose Gomez-Luengo Food Standards Agency, UK Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play person Janne Holthe Animalia - Norwegian Meat and Poultry Research Center, Norway Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play person Ivan Nastasijevic Instiute of meat hygiene and technology Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play person Martijn Bouwknegt Vion Food Group, the Netherlands Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play person Nikolaos Dadios Royal Veterinary College, University of London, UK Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play person Kurt Houf Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Ghent University, Belgium Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play person Bojan Blagojevic University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Serbia Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play person Dragan Antic Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK Risk categorisation of abattoirs in Europe: Current state of play person 2023-05-14 application/pdf 2408413 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:3397 no yes 16 70 1552253 71A01 Food Control 152 152 109863 Food Control journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/foodcont Elsevier 2023-05-14