Egg producers should remain vigilant in managing salmonella risk – and not let success lead to complacency, say industry experts.
The UK egg sector has a world-leading record on salmonella control – but producers at Elanco’s recent annual lay conference were told that the risk remains very real indeed.
“We’ve come a long way as an industry – our low levels of Salmonella make us the envy of Europe, and that’s something we should take great pride in,” said Gary Ford, of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA).
“But food safety concerns haven’t gone away, and one bad headline is all it takes to shake public confidence.
Robust controls
Retailers were rightly focused on food safety and continuing to demand British Lion eggs, said Mr Ford. “They trust the robust Salmonella control measures behind this certification – and it’s up to us to maintain those high standards.”
The conference also highlighted findings from Animal and Plant Health Agency visits. Issues such as ineffective vermin control, inappropriate disinfectant use, and poor drainage on ranges were identified as recurring weaknesses on-farm.
“Rodents remain public enemy number one when it comes to spreading Salmonella, and a joined-up approach to prevention is vital,” said Mr Ford, “From pullet rearers to producers and packers, everyone has a role to play in disease control and should use a full toolkit of measures that includes vaccination alongside rigorous biosecurity protocols.”
Joshua Davison, veterinary technical consultant at Elanco, echoed the importance of sustained vigilance and a holistic prevention strategy. “The UK’s low Salmonella prevalence isn’t accidental. It’s the result of long-term commitment from the industry and vaccination is a key part of that success, alongside investment in biosecurity and monitoring. Our focus is on delivering reliable, high-quality vaccines.”