Conceptualization of the dynamics and synergistic partnership between the agri-food production chain and public health veterinarians

The agricultural value chain concept refers to the interaction between multiple manufacturing stages involved in the production process of a specific nourishment. The earned value of the final product is generated due to the operational or transactional costs through agro-food linear diagram and there is a livestock commodities dynamics pattern to meet expectations of consumers. 1 This productive scheme takes and enforces many of the principles of quality management and incorporates them into the livestock production system. Accordingly, this approach aimed to guarantee the suitability of the final product is classified in primary chains involving the initial stages of production from breeding, nursing, weaning and growth of animals in livestock farms to the slaughter process. Secondary chains include all the subsequent stages of the primary chain, where the animal by-product is transformed, pitted, chopped, processed, stored, transported and retailed to the final consumer. 2 The agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS agreement) of the world trade organization (WTO) recognizes the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) standards as the reference codes for control and prevention of trans-boundary animal diseases and zoonoses, including food-borne zoonoses. 3 Under the approach ''from farm to fork'' the OIE promotes harmonization of sanitary regulations for trade of animals and their products as well as the management of sanitary risks where veterinary professionals play a pivotal role. Thus, throughout the productive and value chain puzzle, veterinarians play key role in: 1) the application of risk analysis procedures, 4 2) quickly and efficiently detecting diseases listed by the OIE, including those that lead to a significant risk in terms of food safety and public health; and 3) international trade of livestock inputs, as veterinary certification is a crucial requirement to export animal products. Thereby, there is a mutualistic and synergistic partnership between the agri-food production chain structure and public health veterinarian, where the functionality and competitiveness of the agricultural value chain structure to access the global markets, is a primary responsibility of veterinarians. Whereas, the interaction and partnership of each stake-holder across the horizontal chain structure ensures the integration, strengthened and correct implementation of public health policies at public and private level carried out by the veterinary services. For example, by evaluating the microbiological risks and estimating the appropriate level of protection (ALOP), food safety objectives (FSO) and performance objectives (PO); or enforcing and developing traceability programs for livestock or animal by-products. 5 Moreover, agro-terrorism and …