asked the Minister for Health if he has any evidence that poultry, pigs or other animals reared intensively may have been infected by salmonella; if, in view of the dangers involved, he is keeping the matter under review; and if he will consider initiating legislation to safeguard this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmonella Danger.
40.
The presence of salmonella organisms in food animals reared intensively is a matter of animal health which is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.
Under the auspices of the Joint Services Committee on Zoonoses— an interdepartmental advisory body of leading medical and veterinary officers —a reporting system of salmonellosis detections, both human and animal, has been established and a large number of medical and veterinary laboratories are co-operating in keeping the position in regard to this disease under review.
The existing controls in the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1950-1971, and the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1948, are adequate to deal with salmonellosis in humans. If proper hygiene is observed in the food trade and in the home, and if food is adequately cooked, the incidence of salmonellosis could be considerably reduced.
In view of some of the reports I have seen—no doubt the Parliamentary Secretary is aware of them also—is he satisfied that the regulations at present in force are satisfactory? If this is so, is he satisfied they are being properly implemented? These reports are becoming more frequent.
As the Deputy is aware, salmonellosis is a notifiable disease.