European Commission Sets Targets to Reduce Salmonella in Poultry
Posted on: Thursday, 3 August 2006, 12:00 CDT
The European Commission has adopted two new regulations aimed at reducing and controlling the prevalence of salmonella in poultry and eggs across the EU.
The first regulation lays down targets for the reduction of salmonella in laying hens, which in turn should lead to less salmonella contamination in eggs, the commission said.
Each EU member state will have to work towards reducing the number of laying hens infected with salmonella by a specific minimum percentage each year, with steeper targets for member states with higher levels of salmonella.
The first target deadline is set for 2008, although member states will have to submit national control programs on salmonella reduction in laying hens to the commission by early 2007.
The second regulation adopted by the commission sets out rules on the methods used to control salmonella in poultry, including mandatory vaccination from 2008 onwards for laying hens in member states with a salmonella prevalence of 10% or more.
In addition to the new regulations, the commission said is also currently looking into the possibility of introducing a trade ban on eggs from salmonella infected flocks as soon as possible. This is in light of the recent findings in the preliminary European Food Safety Authority report on salmonella levels in laying hens.
Markos Kyprianou, commissioner for health and consumer protection, said: "Salmonella is one of the most prevalent food-borne diseases in the EU, affecting thousands of people every year, sometimes with very serious consequences. However, simple measures can greatly cut down the risk this disease poses to public health.
"Reducing the incidence of Salmonella at farm level will lower its incidence through the rest of the food chain, and help meet the ultimate objective of protecting EU consumers. For this reason, I urge all member states to do their utmost to meet the targets we have set today."
Source: Datamonitor
Related Articles
- Beer Institute Members Support Campaign to Reduce Underage Drinking
- Senator Tom Daschle Appointed as Member of Commission on White House Fellowships
- Better Water Use May Reduce Future Food Crises
- European Commission and United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Both Approve New Options for Patients With Certain Primary Brain Tumors
- Clinical Study Results: Nutrition 21's Iceland Health(R) Chromax(R) Chromium Picolinate Reduces Hunger, Food Intake and Cravings
- Commission Backs Unified EU Food Legislation
- Laying Down the Law on Food Safety
- Resins Target Food
- Probe Targets Food Stores; More Grocers Face Antitrust Review
- Body Fat is Key to Reducing Target Spots
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds