The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 is contagious and fatal to humans. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant concerns on food safety and security are rising due to potential interspecies transmission. As such, surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 on imported meat and animal parts is carried out and reported in this study to safeguard food safety and security. Overall, none of the 225 samples from various livestock (buffaloes, cattle, goat and pig) imported from seven countries were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) from July 2020 to November 2021. This study finding serves as a baseline data for SARS-CoV-2 in imported meat and animal parts. Notably, this study accentuated the importance of active surveillance to prevent zoonosis and to safeguard food safety and security.

Locally, venison is considered as a premium and exotic meat, as it is not commonly found in fresh food markets and grocery stores. Despite its limited availability, demand is always high in its niche market, especially during festive seasons which highly escalate the price. However, as an expensive delicacy, deer meat is highly susceptible to fraudulent substitution and adulteration. Authentic deer meat are currently only recognized by consumers based on their own experience, meat texture, and taste which can be quite subjective. To assist in authenticating local deer meat in the market and protect consumers from fraudsters, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis can be carried out to distinguish between venison and other animal meat and products. Farmed venison in Malaysia are mostly from the species Rusa timorensis while Rusa unicolor is bred in the wild. Here, we detailed a newly developed conventional PCR method that is able to detect R. timorensis and R. unicolor based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) in a single run, thus providing a simple and more accurate alternative in venison authentication.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there were analyzed high productive traits of meaty calves and cross breeds bred in accordance with a system cow-calf, as well as the possibilities of using veal meat obtained in ecologically safe areas for infant food production. At the age of 6,5-7 months the weight of fresh carcass of bull-calves of sharolez breed in comparison with aberdin-angus х black-motley herdmates was on 41,6 kg (Р less than 0,001) higher, carcass yield and slaughter yield – on 13,8% (Р less than 0,001) and 13,6% (Р less than 0,001), respectively. The fat content in sharolez meat was 4,9% against 8,9%; protein - 21,9% against 18,8%. The black-motley suckling bull-calves surpassed their herdmates which were grown up by technology of dairy cattle breeding at the age of 6-6,5 months according to indexes of weight of fresh carcass - on 16,3 kg or 21,7% (Р less than 0,01); according to indexes in a slaughter yield - on 16,6% (Р less than 0,001); and according to indexes meat flesh in a carcass - on 1,5%. According to quality indexes, amino acid structure, acceptable concentration of toxic elements content, pesticides, antibiotics, radionuclides and other harmful substances the veal meat of calves which were bred on a system a cow-calve in ecologically pure zones proved to be important meat raw materials to produce infant food products.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus as a result of task-specific selection and breeding work there was developed and approbated Berezinsky breed type of Belarusian meaty breed. Sows of the studied breed type were notable for high indices of reproductive signs: the average multiple pregnancy in three breeding swine herd was 11,1 pigs per farrowing; milkability - 55 kg, litter size at weaning stage at 35-day age - 87,1 kg. The predominancy over the forecast exponent indices made 4,7-5,7%. In course of the study there were analyzed the forecasted indexes of the basic breeding signs of Berezinsky breed type of Belarusian meaty breed for 2005-2010; productivity indices of the experimental sows; coefficient of variations of sow productivity.

The influence of polymorphism of gene IGF-2 on feeding and meat qualities of pigs of Belarusian Large White breed was studied. It is established, that frequency of presumptive preferable allele Q gene IGF-2 reaches 0,75-0,98% at boars of meat breeds and 0,34% - at Belarusian Large White breed. The young boars of breed with genotype QQ authentically surpass the analogues with a genotype qq on development, and feeding young pigs – on meat-feeding to qualities. Gene IGF-2 it is possible to consider as genetic marker of growth rate of pigs of the Belarusian Large White breed