Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 5

Written Answers. - Salmonella Monitoring Programme.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

77 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will outline the national salmonella monitoring programme; the role of the industry and the various participants in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7894/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

My Department has since 1988 operated a salmonella monitoring programme in poultry breeding flocks, table egg layers and poultry meat carcases. The programme was set up as a voluntary code of practice with the co-operation of the poultry and egg industry and the Irish Grain and Feed Association. The programme sets out approved guidelines for the control of salmonella typhimurimum,S.t., and salmonella enteritidis,S.e.

As regards the pig sector, a salmonella programme has been in operation since 1997 which involves the testing and categorisation of herds and differentiated treatment of the pigs from those herds based on the results. This programme operated on a voluntary basis with producers and the processing industry working in conjunction with my Department.

Arrangments are almost finalised for the establishment of an enhanced programme on a statutory basis. A difficulty has arisen with the test methods used under the voluntary scheme which has caused it to be suspended and the introduction of the enhanced scheme to be delayed.

My Department has been working on a revised testing system which will form the basis of the new scheme. This work should be completed shortly. Testing personnel are being recruited and while it is envisaged that the testing will initially be carried out in the Department's central veterinary laboratory in Abbotstown, it will be taken over by the industry at the earliest opportunity thereafter. Most of the costs of running this scheme will be for the industry, as has been the case under the voluntary scheme.