§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions during 1988 salmonella enteriditis was confirmed in egg-laying flocks and on which occasion he used his powers to prevent poultry or eggs from such units from being sold for human consumption.
§ Mr. RyderThe provisional figures for 1988 show that salmonella enteritidis was isolated in 20 table-egg laying flocks. Where salmonella enteritidis has been isolated a veterinary investigation has been carried out and advice given. I announced last Friday in a parliamentary reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) that notices will be issued under the Zoonoses Order 1975 to egg producers with flocks known or suspected of infection with salmonella enteritidis or other similar types of salmonella. These notices will prevent the sale of eggs in a raw state direct for human consumption.