03.01.2012

Salmonella are among the common bacteria found on food which can cause serious gastrointestinal infections in humans. For this reason, the European Commission launched an EU-wide salmonella control programme in 2008. The annual national status report forms part of this programme. In Germany, the competent state authorities and food business operators take samples in agricultural establishments. The figures for 2010 clearly indicate that salmonella control has been successful for breeding poultry, laying hens, broilers and turkeys. Compared to the salmonella findings in 2009 and 2008 and those of the baseline studies from the years 2004 to 2007, the numbers for the control-relevant salmonella types S. Infantis, S. Hadar, S. Virchow as well as S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium are on the decrease.
Control-relevant salmonella were detected in 0.3 % (2009: 0.9 %), of breeding chickens and 0.2 % (2009: 0.4 %) of broilers of the sampled flocks. For laying hens, the detection rate was 1.9 % and is thus also lower than in previous years. In 2009 control-relevant salmonella was found in 4.8 % and in 2008 in 2.7 % of the sampled laying hens. For breeding turkeys, no salmonella was detected, as had already been the case in the baseline studies. In contrast, low levels of salmonella (0.6 %) were detected in fattening turkeys. The defined common goal has thus been complied with / reached. This goal is that a maximum of 1 % of the sampled breeding chicken, broiler and turkey flocks are contaminated with control-relevant salmonella. For laying hens, a reduction of the rate compared to the previous year by at least 10 % applies (for example from 4.8 % to 4.3 %).

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 2160/2003, the salmonella control programme comprises a monitoring programme in addition to protective measures against salmonella such as the duty to vaccinate laying hens in countries with high salmonella rates and strict rules governing feed. This monitoring programme provides for member states to draw up a national annual report on the proportion of salmonella-positive flocks for breeding poultry, laying hens, broilers as well as breeding and fattening turkeys. These reports were included in the analysis for the first time this year. Since 2008, the competent authorities of the states and also food business operators have taken samples following a clearly defined survey plan. These samples are then analysed in accredited laboratories. The states in turn send the data to the BfR for assessment. The BfR evaluates the data and submits its status report to the European Food Safety authority (EFSA).