National Control Plans for the control of salmonella in
poultry
EU legislation requires Member
States to establish National Control Plans (NCPs) to detect and
control salmonella in poultry at all relevant stages of production
in order to protect public health.
After an NCP for salmonella in
breeding flocks of domestic fowl was introduced in January this
year, DEFRA is now consulting on an NCP for salmonella in poultry
laying flocks.
The first NCP set out the official
controls necessary to achieve the EU target for no more than 1% of
breeding flocks with more than 250 birds to remain positive for
salmonella of human health significance by the end of 2009.
The aim of the second NCP is to reduce
the prevalence of the two main strains of salmonella affecting
humans by at least 10% from 2008 in UK flocks of domestic fowl
producing eggs for human consumption. It applies to all commercial
egg producers, apart from those exempted under the EU Regulation.
To demonstrate target achievement, farmers must meet minimum
sampling and testing requirements during the rearing and laying
stages and take specific control measures following the detection
of salmonella.
From 2009, eggs from flocks infected
with the two main types of salmonella will be banned from human
consumption, unless they have been heat-treated to guarantee the
elimination of salmonella. In addition, from November 2007, if a
link is conclusively established between a foodborne outbreak and
eggs from a flock infected with any strain of salmonella, the eggs
will require heat treatment before being sent for human
consumption.
The Control of Salmonella in Poultry
Order 2007 will enforce the NCPs for both breeding and laying
flocks, and comes into force from 28 January 2008. It replaces the
Poultry Breeding Flocks and Hatcheries Order 2007.
Over the next three years, NCPs will
also be implemented for broiler flocks and turkeys. The EU
Regulation laying down targets for reduction of salmonella in
broilers came into force on 16 June 2007. This sets a target to
reduce the prevalence of salmonella in broiler flocks to 1% or less
by 31 December 2011. A further control plan to reduce salmonella in
turkeys should be in place by 2010.
For more information, please contact
Jane Hanney in our Business Regulatory team on 023 8090
8090 or email her at jane.hanney@bllaw.co.uk
--------
To read other articles in the latest edition
of rural issues or view/download the
newsletter in its entirety, click on the links in the
left-hand margin at the top of the page.
|