HC Deb 26 January 1989 vol 145 cc702-3W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many successful applicants for compensation from the recent poultry compensation scheme have been identified as having salmonella enteritidis infected flocks; and what were(a) the total number of eggs produced from flocks, (b) the total number of hens slaughtered from such flocks and (c) the total compensation paid.

Mr. Donald Thompson

It was not a condition of the slaughter of hens scheme that culled birds should be tested for evidence of salmonella enteriditis. With the agreement of some flock owners, examinations have been carried out on some slaughtered birds and none of the flocks examined to date has shown evidence of infection.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what arrangements were made for the disposal of hens believed to be contaminated with salmonella enteritidis, slaughtered under the recent compensation scheme;

(2) what arrangements were made for the disposal of hens slaughtered under the recent compensation scheme.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The agriculture departments are arranging for the disposal of all carcases of birds slaughtered under the scheme by burial or incineration.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements his Department made for the supervision of hens believed to be salmonella-infected slaughtered during the last three months outwith his recent compensation scheme.

Mr. Donald Thompson

None. The slaughter and disposal of hens outside the scheme is the responsibility of the owner and is subject to the relevant statutory provisions such as those governing welfare and hygiene.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any inspection by his staff during 1988 revealed the presence of salmonella in poultry farms.

Mr. Donald Thompson

[holding answer 23 January 1989]Poultry farms are not routinely inspected for the presence of salmonella. Under the Zoonoses Order 1975, which requires the reporting of isolations of salmonella, 870 reports (provisional) of salmonella of all serotypes in poultry in 1988 were received.