Layers

To reduce the prevalence of Salmonellas of public health significance in flocks of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) on holdings in the UK producing eggs for human consumption at least to the target levels set out in Regulation (EC) No 1168/2006 which is an annual reduction of at least 10% in the number of positive adult laying flocks compared with the previous year. The starting baseline will be 8.0% for Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium.

1.00 General

1.01 Salmonellas have been recognised as important pathogens and Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium have accounted for the majority of cases of human salmonellosis for many years and have consistently been the most commonly implicated pathogens in general outbreaks of foodborne disease.

1.02 A programme for the control of the two most important Salmonellas of public health significance, Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus has been in operation in the UK since 1989, and in its present form since 1993. As a result of the control programme the number of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium infected breeding flocks of Gallus gallus in the UK is currently very low. Of the other three Salmonella serovars, Salmonella Hadar, Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Virchow, the occurrence is likewise at low levels.

Information was submitted to the Commission relating to the occurrence of Salmonella isolates in breeding flocks in the UK in 2004 (SANCO/1143/2005 http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biosafety/Salmonella/impl_reg_en.htm ).

1.03 The success of the control programme in breeding flocks means that the day old layer chicks placed on farms should be free of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimuriuim.

1.1.0 The occurrence of the zoonosis or zoonotic agent concerned in the Member State.

1.1.1 Laboratory reporting trends – Salmonellosis in humans.

1.1.2 A sharp rise in the incidence of human salmonellosis in the UK was observed in the mid 1980s. This was largely due to an increase in S. Enteritidis phage type 4 (PT 4) infection. The incidence of this phage type reached a peak in the early 1990s and remained broadly stable until 1998 when a significant fall was recorded throughout most of the UK which continued for the next two years. Since then, the decline has continued, albeit less sharply. The reduction in the number of cases of salmonellosis reported in humans continued in 2005 and in the UK as a whole there were 12,831 cases. (See Figure 1). S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium remained the two most common serotypes isolated from humans, accounting for just under 70% of all laboratory confirmed reports.

1.1.3 The Advisory Committee on Microbiological Safety of Food (an expert independent group which advises the Food Standards Agency) considered Salmonella in eggs and reported on its findings in May 2001[1] and considered that the widespread vaccination of egg laying flocks against S. Enteritidis combined with improved flock hygiene measures had had a significant effect on the prevalence of Salmonella contamination of eggs and on salmonellosis in humans. In the UK a voluntary industry operated scheme (British Egg Industry Council) Lion Quality requires its members to vaccinate their layer flocks and to operate to specified hygiene standards. About 85% of egg production belongs to the Lion Quality scheme. In addition many producers who are not members of the scheme also vaccinate their flocks on a voluntary basis.

1.1.4 S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium may enter the food chain from sources other than eggs. Although S. Enteritidis is mainly associated with birds, S. Typhimurium is found in other species of livestock.

Figure 1

1.1.5 Overall, there is little regional variation in salmonellosis in humans in the UK as illustrated below with a more detailed summary of the situation according to region or country.

England and Wales.

1.1.6 The incidence of salmonellosis has been declining since 1997 when a total of 31480 laboratory confirmed cases were reported to national surveillance. In 2005 the annual total fell to 11529 cases, of which 58% were due to S. Enteritidis. The decline in salmonellosis has been mainly driven by a decline in the incidence of S. Enteritidis PT 4 which has fallen from over 15000 reports in 1997 to 1773 reports in 2005. S. Typhimurium remains the second most commonly isolated serotype in humans accounting for 13% of all laboratory confirmed cases of salmonellosis recorded in 2005. There has also been a pronounced downward trend in the incidence of S. Typhimurium which has declined from 6554 cases in 1995 to 1488 cases in 2005. During this period the incidence of S. Typhimurium DT104 also fell from 3646 to 380 cases per year.

Scotland.

1.1.7 Laboratory reports of salmonellosis increased from 2015 in 1986 to 3349 in 1997. Since then the numbers have declined. In 2005 1127 cases were reported, compared with 1143 in 2004.

Northern Ireland.

1.1.8 The number of reports of Salmonella received in 2005 was 175, a decrease of 61% compared to 2004. The large number reported in 2004 was due to 3 outbreaks associated with 228 cases; no outbreaks were reported in 2005. The 2005 annual total is the lowest reported since 1993. Reports of S. Enteritidis have decreased slightly each year between 2002 and 2005 with 83 reports being received in 2005 (98 in 2002). Unlike other parts of the UK, Northern Ireland has not experienced an increase in reports of non-PT4 S. Enteritidis. In 2005 laboratory reports of S. Typhimurium fell in Northern Ireland from 146 to 33 and reports of S. Typhimurium DT 104 fell from 95 to 4. There was one large outbreak in 2004 which accounted for the increase in that year; in 2003 there were 43 and 10 laboratory reports of S Typhimurium and S Typhimurium DT104 respectively. Of the 175 Salmonella reports received in 2005, 55 (31%) were thought to have been acquired outside the UK.

1.1.9 The number of reports of Salmonella in humans referred to above in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, include cases which were acquired outside the UK.

1.1.10 The top ten laboratory confirmed Salmonella serotypes isolated from people in the UK in 2003 and 2004 are given in Annex 1. The most common serotypes from humans in 2005 are given in Table 1.

Table 1 Top laboratory confirmed Salmonella serotypes isolated from people, UK 2005.

England & Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

Serotype

Rate per 100,000

Serotype

Rate per 100,000

Serotype

Rate per 100,000

S. Enteritidis	12.5	S. Enteritidis	10.30	S. Enteritidis	4.85
of these PT4	3.33	of these PT4	2.26	of these PT4	0.76

S. Typhimurium	2.7	S. Typhimurium	4.04	S. Typhimurium	1.93

of these DT104	0.7	of these DT104	1.69	of these DT104	0.23

S. Virchow	0.62	S. Goldcoast	0.81	S. Virchow	0.35
S. Newport	0.33	S. Virchow	0.77	S. Goldcoast	0.23
S. Stanley	0.29	S. Newport	0.43	S. Saint-paul	0.23
S. Hadar	0.29	S. Saint-paul	0.41	S. Kentucky	0.18
S. Infantis	0.22	S. Hadar	0.35	S. Kottbus	0.18
S. Goldcoast	0.22	S. Stanley	0.30	S. Meunchen	0.18
S. Kentucky	0.19	S. Corvallis	0.28
S. Agona	0.14	S. Agona	0.26

1.2.0 Laboratory reporting trends – Salmonella in layers.

1.2.1 There is currently no statutory monitoring programme for Salmonella in laying hens in the UK producing eggs for human consumption. All laboratories which isolate Salmonella from a laying flock or its environment are required to report the finding and supply the isolate to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL). This information is recorded and analysed. The number of reports made depends on the level and sensitivity of monitoring which is undertaken by the producers. The reports provide useful information on the serovars which are most common in the birds, and indicate trends.

1.2.2 Over the last three years the number of incidents concerning the invasive types of Salmonella in laying hens has been low.

Layers 2005 (routine reporting from laboratories).

1.2.3 In layers there were 42 incidents with 17 S. Enteritidis, and 3 incidents of S. Typhimurium recorded in Great Britain during routine monitoring carried out by the industry and private veterinarians. Advice was given to the operators on control of Salmonella and the codes of good practice to help control the introduction of Salmonella and its spread.

1.2.4 The current system of voluntary monitoring and the requirement of laboratories to report positive findings does not give information on the number of holdings or flocks sampled. It is not possible therefore from these figures to establish the prevalence of Salmonella in layer flocks, but the information does give valuable information on the serotypes which are most commonly found in layers, and the trends in these from year to year. In addition all Salmonella isolates are phage typed and tested for sensitivity against a panel of 16 antimicrobials in the monitoring programme which provides information on trends. A better measure of the prevalence was obtained from the survey carried out to set a baseline for Salmonella in layer flock holdings according to Decision (EC) No 2004/665.

Layer survey 2005 (Decision 2004/665).

1.2.5 The study was conducted according to the protocol in Decision 2004/665.

1.2.6 The raw data were forwarded to the Commission for analysis by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). An analysis of the UK data was carried out by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL). Small differences in the results of the two analysis may be expected due to inclusion or exclusion of certain data, and the methods of data analysis. In the analysis by the NRL of the 454 holdings that were sampled in the survey, 55 tested positive for Salmonella on one or more samples giving an estimated holding level prevalence of Salmonella on UK layer farms of 11.9% (CI95% 9.5 -14.3%). Within these 55 positive holdings, 18 different serovars were identified. More than one serovar was isolated on seven of the holdings. No holding was found to have both S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium together. S. Virchow and S. Infantis were each found on a single holding, while S. Hadar was not found on any holdings. S. Enteritidis was isolated from 28 of the 454 holdings giving a weighted prevalence of 5.8% (CI95% 4.2 - 7.4%). S. Typhimurium was isolated from 8 holdings and the estimated prevalence of this serovar was 1.8% (CI95% 0.8-2.9%).

1.2.7 All isolates of S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Virchow and S. Thompson were phage typed. The two typable isolates of S. Thompson were phage type 2 while the single typable S. Virchow isolate was PT57. The most common S. Enteritidis phage type was PT4, which was isolated from over half of the positive holdings. PT35 and PT6 were also found frequently and were present in more than one quarter of the infected holdings. S. Typhimurium definitive phage type DT104 was identified on four of the eight infected holdings.

1.2.8 This was the first survey carried out to this protocol so it is not possible to compare directly with the prevalence in previous years, but other information, such as the decline of S. Enteritidis in human cases since the mid 1990’s, would suggest that the level in layers has been declining in the past five to ten years.

Layers 2004 (routine reporting from laboratories).

1.2.9 In layers there were 10 incidents of S. Enteritidis, and 6 incidents of S. Typhimurium recorded in Great Britain. In Northern Ireland during 2004 there was one outbreak of S. Enteritidis in a commercial laying flock. There were no clinical signs of disease in the birds. All testing carried out by Department for Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland (DARDNI) at the hatchery, as part of the disease investigation, was negative for S. Enteritidis.

Layers – 2003 (Routine reporting from laboratories).

1.2.10 The number of reported incidents in layer flocks at 61 was a marked increase on the 9 reported in 2002, which had been similar to the 8 in 2001. The increase may reflect enhanced monitoring of this sector of the industry in 2003. Twenty-three of the reports were S. Enteritidis, and two were S. Typhimurium. Of the rest 27 incidents were S. Montevideo, 3 S. Brandenburg, and there were single incidents of S. Braenderop, S. Agama, S. Havana, S. Senftenberg, S. Ohio, and one incident where only the structure could be determined.

1.3.0 Salmonella control programme in Layer flocks of Gallus gallus in the UK.

1.3.1 A national control programme will be implemented to comply with Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 and Regulation (EC) No 1168/2006. The national control plan for Salmonella in layers is planned to come into effect in January 2008.

1.3.2 All layer flocks of 350 birds or more will be included in the national control programme. There is a requirement for these flocks to register with the Competent Authority as required by Registration of Establishments (Laying Hens) (England) Regulations 2003, and the equivalent legislation in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 excludes producers supplying small quantities direct to the final consumer. Any producers with less than 350 birds who are not exempted in Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 under Article 1.3 will be included in the national control programme.

1.3.3 The GB Poultry Register has been set up for disease control purposes, specifically avian influenza, and contains the locations of all flocks of Gallus gallus with more than 50 birds. The Poultry Register covers England, Wales and Scotland. There is a separate Poultry Register in Northern Ireland. Currently the UK Poultry Register may not be used for disease control purposes other than avian influenza without the agreement of those on the database. It may be possible for the database to be used for Salmonella control purposes in the future.

1.3.4 Operators will be required to implement the sampling programme in Annex IIB of EC Regulation 2160/2003. Samples for the detection of Salmonella will be taken from Gallus gallus day-old chicks to be reared for the production of eggs for human consumption, approximately 2 weeks before the birds are moved to laying accommodation, and then at 15 weeks intervals during the egg laying phase, with the first sample taken when the birds are 22 to 26 weeks of age. The operator of the flock will take these samples. Samples will be submitted to a laboratory authorised by the Competent Authority and which applies quality assurance systems that conform to the requirements of the current EN/ISO standard. Sampling to verify the achievement of the target will be as detailed in the Annex to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1168/2006.

1.3.5 When an official sample is taken it may replace the sample required to be taken by the operator.

1.4.0 The geographical area in which the programme will be implemented.

1.4.1 The National Control Programme will be implemented throughout the UK and will cover all flocks of Gallus gallus producing eggs for human consumption. Small flocks that supply eggs for private domestic use or small quantities of eggs direct to the final consumer may be excluded from the National Control Programme as permitted in Regulation (EC) No 1260/2003 Article 1.3.

1.5.0 The structure and organisation of the relevant Competent Authorities.

1.5.1 The Competent Authority for this National Control Programme in respect of EC Regulation 2160/2003 for the control of Salmonella in layer flocks of Gallus gallus is:

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 1A Page Street, London, SW1P 4PQ.

· In Northern Ireland the operation of the Control Programme is under Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).

· The programme in Wales operates with the collaboration of the Welsh Assembly

· The programme in Scotland operates with the collaboration of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.

1.5.2 The Competent Authority in respect of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules is the

· Food Standards Agency, Aviation House, Holborn, London.

1.5.3 Further information on the Food Standards Agency is given in Annex 3.

1.5.4 With reference to the slaughter of laying flocks at the end of lay the Meat Hygiene Service is an Executive Agency of the Food Standards Agency and is responsible for the protection of public health and animal health and welfare in Great Britain, through proportionate enforcement of legislation in licensed meat premises. Enforcement in licensed premises in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of DARDNI.

1.5.5 In respect of EC Regulation No 183/2005 on feed hygiene, the Competent Authorities are the Food Standards Agency and local authorities (Trading Standards Departments and some Environmental Health Services).

1.5.6 Defra is the Competent Authority in respect of the rules on the Marketing of Eggs (Council Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 of 26 June 1990 on certain marketing standards for eggs, Commission Regulation (EC) No 2295/2003 of 23 December 2003 introducing detailed rules for implementing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 on certain marketing standards for eggs, and from 01 July 2007 Council Regulation (EC) No 1028/2006 of 19 June 2006 on marketing standards for eggs) administered and enforced by