Question:
106 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the incidence of salmonella in pigs and poultry for each year from 1996 to date in 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29894/00]
Written Answers. - Salmonella Incidence.
A survey to establish the level of salmonella in the Irish pig herd was completed in 1996. The tests were carried out on samples from the gastro intestinal tract, caecal swabs, and on extracts from the gall bladder. The results of this survey showed that salmonella was isolated from between 12.0% and 13.2% of the samples taken in seven slaughter plants involved in the survey. A total of 1282 samples were taken in the survey from 225 pig herds. Further tests were carried out for salmonella typhimurium (St). These showed a 4.5% prevalence of salmonella typhimurium in gall bladder samples and 7.2% in caecal swabs. Phage Type DT 104 was found in three of the isolates. A later survey carried out in conjunction with the industry broadly confirmed these findings. Since July 1997, a salmonella control programme has been in place in pig slaughter plants for which my Department has regulatory responsibility. This programme is a comprehensive one which covers herd management and hygiene at all stages of production from the farm to slaughter and processing stage.
Ireland has also operated a salmonella monitoring programme in poultry breeding flocks, table egg layers and poultry meat carcases since 1988. A slaughter policy is operated in cases of breeding flocks infected with salmonella typhirimium (St) or salmonella enteriditis (S.e). Ireland has been largely free of St and Se at breeding stock level since 1989.
The existing pig programme is operated on the basis of a voluntary code agreed between producers, processors and the Department. Arrangements are being finalised to put the programme on a statutory basis and to extend it to all plants including those which are not controlled by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.