HC Deb 28 July 1989 vol 157 cc1158-9W
Mr. Nicholas Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the results of monitoring of poultry stocks pursuant to the Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989 and in particular the related costs of sampling borne by the poultry industry.

Mr. Curry

The Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989 requires the owners of all laying, breeding and rearing flocks comprising more than 25 birds and flocks of less than 25 birds which sell eggs for human consumption, to monitor their flocks for evidence of salmonella. To date there have been 562 reports of isolations of invasive salmonella. With regard to the cost of sampling I would refer the hon. Member to my recent reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) on 27 July.