Salmonella
Salmonellae are a bacterial cause of food-poisoning worldwide, and are common commensals of all animals and birds. Some types of salmonellae can affect humans as well as animals, a zoonotic agent. Transmission to humans occurs when organisms, introduced into the kitchen in poultry carcasses, meat or un pasteurized milk, then multiply in food because of inadequate cooking, cross-contamination of cooked foods and inadequate storage.
Many of the types of Salmonellae which cause human food-poisoning do not cause clinical signs in animals so monitoring is necessary to check levels of infection.
The objective of the Zoonoses Directive (2003/99/EC) is to gather information in order to assess the risk to human health from sources of zoonoses and zoonotic agents in the domestic and wild animal populations. The Directive aims to achieve this objective through enhanced monitoring of the trends and sources of zoonoses and zoonotic agents and related anti-microbial resistance and by ensuring that food-borne disease outbreaks receive proper epidemiological investigation. A further aim of the Directive is to move, when necessary and agreed, towards harmonised monitoring systems, e.g. using the same sampling methods, sample types and laboratory test methods to provide information on the trends and sources of zoonotic agents in the EU as a whole. This should provide better information on which to assess the need for risk management measures at the European Community level. The requirements of Directive 2003/99 are implemented by The Zoonoses (Monitoring) (Scotland) Regulations 2007
The Zoonoses Regulation (2160/2003) deals with the management of risk of zoonotic infections in animals and is closely allied to the Directive. It requires that Member States implement national control plans (NCPs) for the reduction of specified zoonoses (currently salmonella) at farm level in certain animal species (currently domestic fowl, turkeys and pigs). The first stage in the process is to undertake EU-wide surveys to establish the baseline level of salmonella in animal species on farm. These surveys are carried out using predetermined procedures and methods so that the prevalence of salmonella can be determined uniformly in each Member State and in the Community as a whole.
On the basis of the data provided by the baseline surveys, the European Commission sets each Member State a target to reduce the pathogen or infectious agent within a set timescale (initially each NCP introduced runs for 3 years). Once the baseline figures are established and reduction targets assigned each Member State is then required to develop a National Control Programme (NCP), including details of how this target will be achieved and verified, for approval by the European Commission. The Zoonoses Monitoring (Scotland) Regulations 2007 provide the legal basis for future sampling work and act as a mechanism for monitoring implementation and progress of the NCPs. Reports on the EU-wide baseline surveys can be obtained on the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) website:
Timetable for Introduction of National Control Plans
Under the Zoonoses Regulation all Member States are required to introduce NCPs as follows:
Species: | NCP required by: |
Breeders | Jan 2007 |
Layers | Jan 2008 |
Broilers | Jan 2009 |
Turkeys | Jan 2010 |
Fattening pigs | Jan 2011 |
Breeding pigs | Jan 2011 |
Approved Laboratories
NCPs will place an obligation on operators to collect samples at predetermined intervals. These samples will need to be submitted to an approved laboratory for analysis. A list of laboratories approved to conduct this work can be found on the Scottish Authorised Laboratories page.
Sampling and Testing Costs
All costs associated with sampling and testing have to be met by operators. Additionally, costs will also be recovered from flock owners for any official sampling work undertaken by the competent authority (Animal Health). The fees to be levied for collection and testing of official samples can be found on the Zoonoses Fees page.