John Bruton
Ceist:78 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will follow the example of Denmark and set and achieve an objective of making the country salmonella free. [15446/01]
Written Answers. - Food Industry.
John Bruton
Ceist:109 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is gross contamination of salmonella in up to one-third of pig production premises; and if he will introduce a statutory and compulsory scheme to ensure that all premises must meet the highest standards. [15488/01]
I propose taking Questions Nos. 78 and 109 together.
I understand that the Deputy is referring to salmonella in the pig and poultry sectors.
The position in the pig sector is that a voluntary scheme for the testing for salmonella has been in operation in pig slaughter plants for a number of years. This programme provided for the categorisation of pig farms on the basis of salmonella test results and the handling of pigs at slaughter plants according to their category.
Last year I had decided to proceed, in consultation with the industry, with the introduction of a compulsory testing scheme. However, the programme has been interrupted due to problems concerning the nature of the test being used in commercial laboratories to detect salmonella. A solution has now been found which involves the use of my Department's central veterinary research laboratory facilities at Abbottstown to initially conduct the testing in order to get the scheme up and running. Recruitment of additional staff for the programme is now well under way and the employment contracts will be finalised in a matter of days. This revised scheme is being put on a statutory basis. I expect the testing element of the programme to be operational in a matter of weeks.
As regards poultry, my Department has since 1988 operated a salmonella monitoring programme in poultry breeding flocks, table egg layers and poultry meat carcases. The flocks programme was set up as a voluntary code of practice with the co-operation of the various elements of the industry. The programme sets out approved guidelines for the control of salmonella typhimurium and salmonella enteritidis. Infected flocks are slaughtered and restocking may take place only after official clearance has been granted on the basis of adequate cleaning and disinfection of premises. There is a very low incidence of these infections in the national flock.