Transitioning to a risk-based approach in pork inspection in Serbia: are we ready for Trichinella control reform?

Nikola Betić; Ivana Klun; Vesna Đorđević; Branko Velebit; Aleksandra Uzelac; Lazar Milojević; Neđeljko Karabasil

doi:10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.81

Nikola Betić Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7375-6752
Ivana Klun University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7976-3104
Vesna Đorđević Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5187-4089
Branko Velebit Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7577-8074
Aleksandra Uzelac University of Belgrade, Institute for Medical Research, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1424-0123
Lazar Milojević Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6901-6033
Neđeljko Karabasil University in Belgrade - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6097-3216

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.81

Keywords: Trichinella, risk-based approach, regulatory reform in Serbia

Abstract

The implementation of risk-based approaches in meat inspection is a key step toward modernizing food safety systems in accordance with international standards. In Serbia, national Regulation 48/2022 introduced the possibility of designating pig farms as “Trichinella-free,” thereby allowing for reduced testing—only 10% of pigs from such farms are required to undergo routine post-mortem Trichinella inspection. However, three years after its adoption, no farm in Serbia has officially obtained this status. This paper critically examines the legal and institutional framework surrounding the application of Regulation 48/2022, with a focus on the readiness of the veterinary system, the level of awareness among stakeholders, and the practical challenges to implementation.

In addition to the regulatory and veterinary aspects, this study also incorporates findings from slaughterhouse-level inquiries. Slaughterhouse operators report that, regardless of official Trichinella-free status, they would still prefer to inspect every pig carcass, fearing the legal and reputational consequences of potential oversight. This undermines the core principle of the regulation and reflects a gap between policy design and its real-world acceptance.

Special attention is given to the public health implications of Trichinella control, as well as the potential benefits and risks of transitioning to a selective inspection model. The analysis suggests that although the regulatory framework is formally aligned with EU practices, significant barriers—including institutional inertia and distrust—remain that hinder its practical application. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and confidence in surveillance systems as prerequisites for a successful shift toward risk-based Trichinella control in Serbia.