§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent(a) broiler chickens, (b) turkeys and (c) egg-laying flocks have been subject to zoonoses testing; and why there are differences in the frequency thereof.
§ Mr. CurryThe Testing of Poultry Flocks Order 1989 requires all commercial laying flocks of domestic fowls, and flocks over 25 birds supplying eggs or birds for breeding purposes, to be tested for salmonella at eight-week intervals. These requirements, introduced as part of the Government's measures to tackle the problem of salmonella in eggs, are shortly to be replaced by new provisions which inter alia will extend the requirements relating to breeding flocks to cover turkeys.
There is no requirement for testing of broiler birds but the provisions on breeding flocks apply to broiler breeders and will be used as the basis for necessary control measures when infection is found.