One in four to face EU salmonella test

One in four producers will have to undergo special testing as part of a survey to establish levels of salmonella across Europe. The survey is designed to establish a “baseline” level of all types of salmonella within each country in the EU.

The survey will involve swab and dust sampling similar to those carried out by Lion Code producers at present. Sampling on each unit—chosen at random—will be carried out at end-of-lay. Officials will then set a target for the reduction of salmonella across the EU. Issues that remain to be resolved include:

• How can Britain, which will carry out the testing scrupulously through Defra, be sure that other nations will use the same levels of care and probity?

• How will the target be set? A flat rate reduction on existing levels would be manifestly unfair on the UK industry since levels here are already so low. Making a further reduction would be extremely expensive.

• Why do the tests not include flocks under 1,000 birds which are most likely to include producers who sell eggs at the farm gate or farmers market but do not vaccinate against salmonella?

• Who pays?

When the survey work is complete and the target level has been set each member state will be required to put in place a national control plan. With its experience of introducing and operating the Lion Code the BEIC is expected to play a major role in the development of the plan.