§ 36. Dr. MoonieTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the results of action being taken by his Department to assist and encourage the eradication of salmonella from poultry flocks.
§ 63. Mr. LathamTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the action which he is taking to combat salmonella infection in flocks of hens.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe Government have adopted a comprehensive range of measures to tackle the problem of salmonella in eggs and poultry.
Codes of practice have been introduced on the control of salmonella in laying flocks, breeding flocks, hatcheries, broilers and turkeys and guidelines issued on the control of salmonella in feedingstuffs.
Laying flocks and processed animal protein produced for use as feedingstuffs are statutorily subject to 671W compulsory bacteriological monitoring for the presence of salmonella. All identifications of the organism must be reported to my Department.
Notices have been served prohibiting the sale of eggs from flocks found to be contaminated with invasive salmonellas, such contaminated flocks have been compulsorily slaughtered, and compulsory cleansing of contaminated laying houses required.
Statutory powers have been exercised to prevent the movement of contaminated material from animal protein processing plants.
The laying controls on imported animal protein have been strengthened.
It is still too early to assess the results of these measures. Salmonella organisms are too pervasive for eradication to be possible but I am confident that the action which we are taking will have a significant effect in reducing the problem.