Baseline survey on the prevalence of Salmonella in breeding pigs

By the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Report of the Task Force on Zoonoses Data Collection on a proposal for technical specifications for a baseline survey on the prevalence of Salmonella in breeding pigs

14 May 2007

3 minute read

Summary

Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 on the control of Salmonella and other specified zoonotic agents lays down provisions for the control of Salmonella and other specified food-borne agents. The provisions require the setting of reduction targets for Salmonella in live pigs within a fixed time schedule. Pursuant to the provisions, a Community target should be established for the reduction of the prevalence of Salmonella in breeding herds of pigs at primary production. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked by the European Commission to prepare a proposal for the technical specifications of a baseline survey of the prevalence of Salmonella in breeding pigs in the European Union.

The proposal presented focuses on the estimation of the Salmonella prevalence in holdings having breeding pigs infected with Salmonella. The prevalence is measured separately in breeding holdings and production holdings in the European Union and in the Member States. The data from the breeding holdings will give information on the infection level of Salmonella in breeding pigs that are sold for breeding purposes to production holdings, while the survey undertaken in production holdings will provide information on the exposure to Salmonella of fattening pigs by breeding pigs.

A study of within-holding prevalence of Salmonella provides further information, which can be used to adjust the Member State specific prevalence figures.

Standardised EN/ISO methods are proposed to be employed in the laboratory analyses of samples for detection of Salmonella.