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RESCAPE is designed to reduce food safety risks by:
<UL> <LI> Optimising the furnished cage and aviary design, hen and egg collection management by recording quantitative data on contamination of eggs to minimise the risk factors in alternative systems
<LI> Reinforcing the natural anti-microbial and mechanical defence mechanisms of eggs by identifying genes involved and selecting hens with superior anti-microbial alleles
<LI> Improving the technology for egg grading to enhance the detection of eggs with the greatest risk to the consumer
<LI> Developing innovative egg decontamination treatments using microwave, hot air and gas plasma sterilization, modified atmosphere packaging or chitosan
<LI> Reducing veterinary drug residues in the egg by improving vaccine technology for red mite and coccidiosis
By 2012, EU directive 1999/74 defining minimum standards for the welfare of laying hens will abolish conventional cage systems in favour of furnished cages or floor systems in order to improve the welfare of hens. Recently, the scientific AHAW panel (EFSA) in agreement with BIOHAZ and CONTAM panels concluded that keeping hens on the floor or outside present an increased risk of contamination due to a greater exposure to infectious agents or parasites.
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For more information about this project, please visit the <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/research/biosociety/food_quality/projects/161_en.ht…; target="_blank">European Commission Food Quality and Safety in Europe</a> Web site.