HC Deb 14 February 1989 vol 147 cc166-8W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the cases of salmonella food poisoning connected with eggs which were referred to in Government press advertisements, giving the number of people affected, the area of the outbreak and the most likely source of the eggs in question for each case.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The figures referred to in the press advertisements related only to England and Wales. In Scotland five outbreaks of salmonella were reported during 1988. These involved 99 people. Details are as follows:

Area of outbreak Number of people affected Most likely source
Fife 5 Free range group of hens kept for domestic egg supply.
Argyll and Clyde 54 Supermarket—source could not be traced.
Borders 24 Free range poultry farm.
Lothian 3 Anecdotal evidence only that raw egg in a sponge mix was involved.
Lothian 13 Supplier receives eggs from a variety of sources so that precise source of eggs cannot determined.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the incidence of salmonella-infected hens in chicken flocks in Scotland; and if he has instituted a survey of such incidence.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The number of salmonella reported incidents in poultry units in Scotland during the past five years have been as follows:

Number
1984 9
1985 27
1986 11
1987 12
1988 21

As is customary in these cases all incidents were investigated by the state veterinary service.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the number of salmonellae in eggs produced or marketed in Scotland, and on any survey he has instituted in order to compile such information.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Precise information on the extent to which eggs produced or marketed in Scotland are currently affected by salmonella is not available. The Government's concern is to eliminate the risk of infection at all stages of production and in the preparation of food in the home and in eating places. The steps which we have announced are directed to that end.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on the incidence of transmission of salmonella into eggs by trans-shell and transovarian routes, respectively; and if he has instituted any research into this question;

(2) if he will make a statement on the frequency with which hens infected with salmonella lay infected eggs; and if he has instituted any survey on that subject.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

As the recent report from the joint MAFF, DH and BEIC working group made clear, further information on both these aspects is required before definitive conclusions can be reached. Consideration is being given to how this might best be pursued.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement concerning the action that would be necessary to achieve a long-term solution to the problems associated with salmonellae in poultry and eggs.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, Central (Mr. Lord) on 18 January at columns214–15. Action on a number of the proposals has already been taken. This includes further controls on protein processing plants; the imposition of restrictions on units where salmonella is suspected; and the compulsory slaughter of laying flocks where salmonella is confirmed. Taken together, these various measures underline our resolve to tackle the problem of salmonella.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the distribution of salmonella infection in chicken flocks in Scotland; and if he has instituted any survey of such infection.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Salmonella was reported on 21 poultry units in Scotland during 1988. In all cases the state veterinary service visited the premises and gave advice on hygiene and control measures.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he received the information on eggborne salmonellosis in Scotland contained in appendix 2 of the joint report of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Department of Health and BEIC working group; and if he will list the actions he has taken since then to advise the public about any risks and to promote the reduction of salmonella contamination in laying flocks.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Appendix 2 lists seven incidents of salmonella food poisoning involving eggs. These isolated incidents, spread over 1987 and 1988, represented a small proportion of all salmonella incidents reported to the communicable diseases (Scotland) unit, Ruchill. Advice on the consumption of eggs was given to community medicine specialists and directors of environmental health in August and November, 1988. A press release was issued in August 1988 and advertisements were placed in the national press in mid-December. Regarding laying flocks, proposals designed to reduce salmonella contamination were announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 18 January 1989.

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