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08/08/2010 15:03:16
Salmonella testing regulations clarified
Animal Health has clarified the rules covering salmonella testing after one BFREPA member contacted the association to say that some producers were still not entirely sure about the deadlines imposed under the regulations
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We reported in the March edition of the Ranger that egg producers could face fines and the designation of their eggs as class B if they were only slightly late with one of their National Control Programme salmonella tests. Some producers have already discovered that being just a day or two late with their 15-week tests can result in heavy penalties.
Although the tests have to be carried out at 15-week intervals, the intervals are being calculated in days. The BFREPA member who contacted the association wanted to know the exact length of the intervals in days. He also wanted to know from what point an interval was calculated – from the date the sample was posted from the farm or from the date of arrival at the lab?
We contacted Animal Health and a spokesman issued the following statement:
"Each new flock must be sampled between 22 and 26 weeks (154 -182 days). Thereafter, the sample must be taken at least every 15 weeks (105 days). The timing is from the date when the last sample was taken.
"For example, if the first sample (22 – 26 week) was taken on 1 April, when the birds were 25 weeks (175 days) old, the next test would need to be taken 105 days later on 15 July.
"For information, the sample must be ’submitted’ within 48 hours (in practical terms this means posted). Operators must keep records of all testing (including the negative test certificate from the Defra approved laboratory) for a minimum of two years."
Missing a deadline could result in a £200 fine for the producer, but other consequences are far more serious. All the eggs sold since the expiry of the last salmonella test would be designated class B. Officials would immediately instigate their own tests and the producer would be responsible for all the associated costs. All eggs would continue as class B until production was verified clear. It is also possible that a producer could face extra costs as a result of eggs being recalled from the packhouse.
.
We reported in the March edition of the Ranger that egg producers could face fines and the designation of their eggs as class B if they were only slightly late with one of their National Control Programme salmonella tests. Some producers have already discovered that being just a day or two late with their 15-week tests can result in heavy penalties.
Although the tests have to be carried out at 15-week intervals, the intervals are being calculated in days. The BFREPA member who contacted the association wanted to know the exact length of the intervals in days. He also wanted to know from what point an interval was calculated – from the date the sample was posted from the farm or from the date of arrival at the lab?
We contacted Animal Health and a spokesman issued the following statement:
"Each new flock must be sampled between 22 and 26 weeks (154 -182 days). Thereafter, the sample must be taken at least every 15 weeks (105 days). The timing is from the date when the last sample was taken.
"For example, if the first sample (22 – 26 week) was taken on 1 April, when the birds were 25 weeks (175 days) old, the next test would need to be taken 105 days later on 15 July.
"For information, the sample must be ’submitted’ within 48 hours (in practical terms this means posted). Operators must keep records of all testing (including the negative test certificate from the Defra approved laboratory) for a minimum of two years."
Missing a deadline could result in a £200 fine for the producer, but other consequences are far more serious. All the eggs sold since the expiry of the last salmonella test would be designated class B. Officials would immediately instigate their own tests and the producer would be responsible for all the associated costs. All eggs would continue as class B until production was verified clear. It is also possible that a producer could face extra costs as a result of eggs being recalled from the packhouse.
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