A prospective study of the bacterial flora of the haircoat, rumen contents and interdigital skin was done as part of investigations on the contamination and prevention of contamination of carcases and livestock products of veal calves in the slaughter line. These constitute a source of contamination of the meat during slaughter. Twenty calves were studied. The coats of these calves were found to be severely contaminated by bacteria of faecal origin. In addition to enterobacteriaceae showing multiple resistance to antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents, large numbers of pseudomonadaceae and Lancefield D streptococci were present in the rumen contents. Small numbers of lactobacilli were identified in the rumen contents. It is concluded that they may have detrimental effects on the safety and quality of the veal and carcases.
Animals Bacteria