Grete H. M. Jørgensen
Research Scientist
Biography
Education and areas of interest:
PhD within ethology with emphasis on animal environment and animal welfare. Have been working with thermoregualtion, climate, sensortechnology and animal preferences. My PhD project dealt with physical and social environment for sheep during the long indoor feeding period.
Professional qualifications:
- Experienced project leader within the NIBIO system. I have also worked for the Forskerforbundet organisation.
- Competence within data processing and statistical analysis.
- Scientific co-supervisor for several bachelor and masters students. Experience as teacher, lecturer and cesor.
- Have been publishing international papers on many different animal species.
- Themoregulation and social behaviour in horses.
- Experience with measurement of methane from ruminants (respiration chambers and the SF6 method)
- Development and testing of sensor technology for surveillance of animals both in barns and on rangeland pastures.
- Experience as project leader for several reindeer projects. For example: Stress and welfare for reindeer during handling, Health risks and hazards for reindeer herders, welfare indicators for reindeer and virtual fencing.
- Participated in several INTERREG projects. For example Animal Sense (Interreg Botnia Atlantica 2012-2019)
- Is appointed Person with special control responsibility for the animal welfare unit in NIBIO, and at the endorsed research animal facility at Tjøtta.
Authors
Åsa Maria Olofsdotter Espmark Endre Grimsbø Tor-Atle Mo Kristin Opdal Seljetun Sonal Jayesh Patel Espen Rimstad Marco Antonio Vindas Erik Georg Granquist Grete H. M. Jørgensen Janicke Nordgreen Ingrid Olesen Sokratis Ptochos Amin SayyariAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Åsa Maria Olofsdotter Espmark Endre Grimsbø Sonal Patel Espen Rimstad Kristin Opdal Seljetun Marco Vindas Erik Georg Granquist Grete H. M. Jørgensen Janicke Nordgreen Ingrid Olesen Amin Sayyari Tor Atle MoAbstract
VKM has assessed animal welfare during stunning and killing of farmed fish in Norway. This report gives an overview of species differences which have significance for the slaughter procedures. The general conclusion is that there is a general lack of scientific documentation to meet the legislation stating that fish must remain unconscious after stunning until death by exsanguination. VKM also finds a risk of reduced animal welfare due to lack of documentation of the time from gill or cardiac cutting to cessation of brain activity. Further research and documentation are needed to understand how different behavioural and physical measurements conducted at the slaughter facility, correspond with the electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements of unconsciousness.
Authors
Eystein Skjerve Erik Georg Granquist Tone Kristin Bjordal Johansen Ingrid Olsen Truls Nesbakken Amin Sayyari Kristin Opdal Seljetun Morten Tryland Åsa Maria Olofsdotter Espmark Grete H. M. Jørgensen Janicke Nordgreen Ingrid Olesen Sonal Jayesh Patel Sokratis Ptochos Marco Vindas Tor Atle MoAbstract
VKM has assessed the risk of introduction and spread of bovine tuberculosis in Norway and cannot rule out that the disease still exists in Norway. There is a low risk of the disease being reintroduced with imported cattle, but the import of llamas and alpacas poses a greater risk. If the disease were to establish in Norway, there is a high risk of spread both among domestic animals and to wildlife. These are the main conclusions The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has made in a risk assessment commissioned by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Background Following the outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in 2022, VKM was asked to investigate the risk of introduction as well as the risk of spread and establishment of the disease in Norway. The disease primarily affects cattle, but other animals and humans can also be affected. Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic disease that is difficult to diagnose. Therefore, it may take months or years before infected animals are detected. This makes it challenging to eradicate the disease. Conclusions With today's very limited import, VKM concludes it is unlikely that bovine tuberculosis will be introduced to Norway with cattle. Since neighboring countries Sweden and Finland are free from the disease, migration of wildlife will not pose a risk of introduction. However, as the source of the 2022 outbreak has not been identified, it cannot be determined if the disease is still present in Norway. “Alpacas and llamas pose a greater risk. These species are particularly susceptible to the disease, and animals have been imported to Norway, also from countries where the bacterium is common in the cattle population. It is therefore likely that the bacterium could be introduced to Norway with these species if imports continue”, says Eystein Skjerve, Scientific leader of the project team. There is significant trade and transportation of live animals (cattle, alpacas, and llamas) within Norway. If bovine tuberculosis were to establish here, such movements would pose a significant risk of spreading the bacterium. Furthermore, manure from infected herds could pose a risk of spreading to livestock and wild animals. Additionally, contact between livestock and wild animals, such as badgers, wild boars, and various deer species, could lead to the spread of the disease to the wild population. If bovine tuberculosis is established in Norway, a control and eradication strategy would require considerable time and resources. If the disease is introduced to-, and established in wild animal populations, experience from other countries indicates that it will be very challenging to eradicate the disease. “The risk of transmission of bovine tuberculosis to humans is generally low. Veterinarians, farmers, and slaughterhouse workers have an increased risk of infection. If the disease is established in Norway, the greatest risk of transmission to humans is through the consumption of both unpasteurised milk and dairy products”, Skjerve says. Risk-Reducing Measures VKM was also asked to identify several measures that could reduce the risk of introduction and establishment of bovine tuberculosis in Norway: Avoid importing animals from countries and regions where bovine tuberculosis is present in livestock. Avoid importing roughage to Norway from countries and regions with bovine tuberculosis. Increase testing requirements for the trade and movement of alpacas and llamas inside Norway. In the event of an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis, reduce contact between livestock and wild animals and routinely test wild animals (badgers, wild boars, and deer species). (...)
