Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2023
903. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has identified the cause of salmonella outbreaks on poultry farms; the measures he proposes to reduce the risk of further outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6827/23]
View answerThis is a very complex investigation as there are many potential different sources of Salmonella infection. Our focus is on protecting the integrity of this industry which plays such a key role in so many communities across the country.
All possible sources are being investigated -such sources could include an infected Broiler breeder flock (as infection can pass via the hatching eggs), cross contamination of chicks in the hatchery, contaminated transport containers or vehicles, or contaminated feed.
The Department continues to work closely with the Food Business Operator, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the National Reference Laboratory in order to determine the cause of this outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium and to mitigate risks of further outbreaks. This involves very significant amounts of sampling and testing and includes both company and Official sampling.
The European Union has coordinated control programmes for Salmonella and there are targets set for the reduction of Salmonella in poultry in the European Union. The National Salmonella Control Programme is in place to reduce or control the prevalence of Salmonella in broiler flocks and broiler breeder flocks, with separate control programmes in place for other poultry.
This programme includes regular sampling by both the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and farmers at multiple points during the life stages of the broiler flocks. This outbreak was identified as a result of surveillance under this programme, demonstrating its effectiveness. This programme has been operating successfully for many years, with a very low prevalence of any Salmonella species identified in Irish broiler flocks.
In addition, all poultry farmers are aware of the importance of good Biosecurity on their farms to reduce risk of outbreaks of diseases. A RDP-funded Targeted Advisory Service for Animal Health measure is already in place as a support for assessing farm level biosecurity risks and is available at no cost to poultry farmers.
