HC Deb 03 March 1989 vol 148 cc375-6W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each of the 17 measures he has taken to control salmonella in poultry since December 1988; which powers he has used to take these measures; and whether he has created new regulations, in each case.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The measures, many of which are already in operation, which have been taken to achieve our objective of reducing to an absolute minimum the problem of salmonella are as follows:

  1. (1) Powers have already been taken by means of an order under the Animal Health Act 1981 to stop the supple of products from protein processing plants where salmonella is found
  2. (2) The rate of inspections of protein processing plants by MAFF officials was doubled in December 1988 from 10 days to 20 days in every year.
  3. (3) An amendment to the Diseases of Animals Protein Processing Order 1981 is to take samples from each day's production and notify MAFF of the results.
  4. (4) New more rigorous licensing controls are being introduced under the Importation of Processed Animal Protein Order 1981 for animal protein imported from those countries with a poor record of salmonella-contaminated exports.
  5. (5) The Zoonoses Order 1989 (made under section 29 of the Animal Health Act 1981), which came into operation on 1 March, provides for the compulsory slaughter where necessary of laying flocks in which salmonella has been confirmed. Compensation will be paid as required under provisions of the Act.
  6. (6) Another order will be made shortly under section 1 of the Animal Health Act 1981 providing for the compulsory bacteriological monitoring of all poultry laying flocks.
  7. (7) Following on from the requirements to monitor further measureees will be introduced under the Animal Health Act 1981 covering the registration of breeding and laying flocks and the registration and monitoring of hatcheries.
  8. (8) Restrictions are being imposed under the powers in the Zoonoses Order 1989 on sales of eggs for human consumption when invasive salmonellae are found in laying flocks and restrictions will be imposed on sales of poultry and hatching eggs when invasive salmonella are found in breeding flocks.
  9. (9) Provisions on compulsory cleansing and disinfection of laying houses are to be applied where disease has been isolated.
  10. (10) There will be new statutory requirements for the hygienic handling of eggs. The powers will be taken in the order covering registration of breeding and laying flocks and hatcheries.
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  11. (11) Present control measures applicable to rodents will be strengthened under the new statutory requirements on monitoring to further minimise the risk of spread of salmonella.
  12. (12) An education campaign in the hygienic handling of food in the home is underway.

(13 to 16) Codes of practice have already been introduced for: commercial laying flocks poultry breeders and hatcheries (poultry health scheme members) poultry breeders and hatcheries (non-members) broilers

(17) Guidelines for the control of salmonella in the production of final feed for livestock have been introduced, to be followed shortly by a more detailed code of practice, there will also be a similar code for the production of animal protein.

None of these changes requires new primary legislation.New secondary legislation has already been introduced in respect of items 1 and 5 and will be required for items 3, 6, 7, 10 and II which will be introduced as soon as possible.

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