§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has plans to conduct or fund research into the development of a rapid, sensitive and specific test for salmonella enteritidis phage 4; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ryder[holding answer 20 February 1989]: My Department has kept closely in touch with the development of a rapid, sensitive and specific test for salmonella enteritidis in the AFRC institute of food research, Norwich laboratory. The Department of Education and Science is funding the work which forms the basis of this test and my Department is working with the institute on further extensions of the technology.
Studies are also taking place at the central veterinary laboratory on the application of a whole-blood test in the field as a flock-screening test. This will be followed by work on laboratory tests such as ELISA and antiglobulin tests.