EU coordinated control programmes for Salmonella through the consumption of food have been a major success story in the EU. While before 2004, more than 200 000 human cases were reported each year in the 15 EU countries, it dropped to less than 90 000 cases in 2014 in 28 EU countries.
General Regulations regarding the control of Salmonella
Basic Regulation: Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003.
Overall implementing acts:
- Regulation (EC) No 1177/2006: requirements for use of antimicrobials and vaccines in control programmes for poultry.
- Regulation (EC) No 2008/798/EC: restriction on import of live poultryand eggs.
Animal population specific amending or implementing acts
Breeding flocks of Gallus gallus
- Regulation (EC) No 200/2010 final target set for reduction in flocks breeding hens
Laying Hens
- Regulation (EC) No 517/2011: final target set for reduction in flocks of laying hens
- Decision (EC) No 1237/2007: trade restrictions on table eggs (amending Regulation (EC) NO 2160/2003)
- Community guide for good hygiene practices in pullet rearing and egg laying flocks
Broilers
- Regulation (EC) No 200/2012: final target set for reduction in flocks of broilers
Turkeys
- Regulation (EC) No 1190/2012: final target set for reduction in flocks of fattening and breeding turkeys
Fattening pigs
- Analysis of the costs and benefits of setting a target for the reduction of Salmonella in slaughter pigs
- Analysis of the costs and benefits of setting a target for the reduction of Salmonella in pigs at slaughterhouse level
Breeding pigs
Co-financing of national control programmes
A decision on the cofinancing by the EU of national programmes for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases, of certain TSEs, and for the prevention of zoonoses is adopted each year. For more information, please see the "Veterinary Programmes" page.
Special guarantees for Salmonella in certain EU countries
When the prevalence of Salmonella in certain animal populations or food is very low and strict national control programmes apply, the Commission may grant special guarantees to an EU country or region of EU countries.
Such guarantees include extended monitoring showing the absence of Salmonella before sending consignments to those EU countries or EEA countries. Such guarantees currently exist for Sweden, Finland, Denmark (table eggs) and Norway.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1688/2005 as regards special guarantees concerning salmonella in certain meat and eggs
- Council Decision 95/410/EC as regards poultry for slaughter intended for Finland and Sweden
- 2003/644/EC: Commission Decision 2003/644/EC regarding consignments to Finland and Sweden of breeding poultry and day-old chicks for introduction into flocks of breeding poultry or flocks of productive poultry
- Commission Decision 2004/235/EC regarding consignments to Finland and Sweden of laying hens
Guidance document on minimum requirements for special guarantees on Salmonella in eggs and poultry meat.
Reports on the prevalence of Salmonella in humans, food, animals and feed
Considerable progress has been made in reducing Salmonella in poultry and in humans. Annual zoonoses monitoring reports illustrating the progress can be found on the EFSA website.