A study completed recently for the Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative and the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council by Dr. R. A. Holley at the University of Manitoba reviewed the results of a lot of research on the risk of intestinal illness in humans from pathogens originating in both humans and animals. The study consisted of a review and analysis of the literature. It was not based on any laboratory or field experiments of its own although several databases were analyzed. The study revealed that a lot is known on the subject but it also revealed significant gaps in the science and in surveillance data. Dr. Holley’s study focused initially on the mechanisms for contracting enteric illness in humans from animals through food, water, air and direct contact with animals and humans. One observation made by Dr. Holley is that, notwithstanding that Canada’s export of pork is increasing (while domestic consumption remains constant); food-borne illness caused by pork in Canada is declining. This would suggest that hog producers and pork processors are doing a good job. He cautions, on the other hand, that surveillance data is not very comprehensive and that more confidence could be placed in this observation if the data were more robust. Dr. Holley concludes that, “given the currently available data, pork is not considered a major source of food-borne infection in Canada and reports of illness from any food contaminated by hog manure do not exist in North America”. However, he warns, “the potential exists for manure to be an important vector”. He expresses concern that standard culture methods for pathogens are periodically unreliable and suggests that there is a need to improve sensitivity and specificity. Dr. Holley’s study confirmed the knowledge that pathogens can migrate for significant distances and at high rates in the environment. More specifically, he found that some studies have shown that pathogens from manure, using currently acceptable application practices, can travel through soil and reach receiving waters, which are subsequently used as public water sources. He declares that “although it is impossible to predict the mobility of these pathogens in soil in Manitoba, it is clear that the potential exists for microorganisms to be transported in the environment and to contaminate regional water supplies.” He notes, in concluding, that the regulation of manure management in most jurisdictions is based on nutrients and odour rather than risk from pathogens.