Commission Regulation (EC) No 1168/2006 of  31 July 2006  implementing Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 as regards a Community target for the reduction of the prevalence of certain salmonella serotypes in laying hens of  Gallus gallus  and amending Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005   (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2006-07-31
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: disease prevention, evaluation method, health control, laying poultry, veterinary inspection, zoonosis

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COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1168/2006

of 31 July 2006

implementing Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 as regards a Community target for the reduction of
the prevalence of certain salmonella serotypes in laying hens of Gallus gallus and amending
Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

the
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of
European Parliament and of
the Council of 17 November
2003 on the control of salmonella and other specified food-
borne zoonotic agents (1) and,
in particular Article 4(1) and
Article 13 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

The purpose of Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 is to
ensure that proper and effective measures are taken to
detect and control salmonella and other zoonotic agents
at all relevant stages of production, processing and distri-
bution, particularly at the level of primary production, in
order to reduce their prevalence and the risk they pose to
public health.

for

provides

(EC) No

2160/2003

Regulation
a
Community target is to be established for the reduction
of the prevalence of all salmonella serotypes with public
health significance in laying hens of Gallus gallus at the
level of primary production. Such reduction is important
in view of the strict measures which are to apply to
infected flocks in accordance with that Regulation (EC)
No 2160/2003 from December 2009 on. In particular,
eggs originating from flocks with unknown salmonella
status,
that are suspected of being infected or from
infected flocks may be used for human consumption
only if treated in a manner that guarantees the elimi-
nation of salmonella serotypes with public health signif-
icance in accordance with Community legislation on
food hygiene.

(3)

Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 provides
the
Community target is to include a numerical expression
the maximum percentage of epidemiological units
of
remaining positive and/or the minimum percentage of
epidemiological units
reduction in the number of

that

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

remaining positive,
the maximum time limit within
which the target must be achieved and the definition
of the testing schemes necessary to verify achievement
of the target. It is also to include a definition, where
relevant, of serotypes with public health significance.

In order to set the Community target, comparable data
on the prevalence of the concerned salmonella serotypes
in laying hens of Gallus gallus in Member States have
accordance with Commission
been
Decision
2004
2004/665/EC
study on the prevalence of
concerning a baseline
salmonella in laying flocks of Gallus gallus (2).

September

collected

22

of

in

Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 provides that for a tran-
sitional period of three years, the Community target for
laying hens of Gallus gallus is to cover Salmonella enter-
itidis and Salmonella typhimurium.

In order to verify achievement of the Community target,
it is necessary to organise repeated sampling of flocks.

In accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No
2160/2003, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
was consulted on the setting of the Community target
for laying hens of Gallus gallus.

Since the adoption of Commission Regulation (EC) No
1003/2005 of 30 June 2005 implementing Regulation
(EC) No 2160/2003 as regards a Community target for
the prevalence of certain salmonella
the reduction of
and
in breeding flocks of Gallus
serotypes
amending Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003, alternative
analysis methods have been developed and validated. In
addition salmonella strains detected in breeding flocks
should be stored for
future phagetyping and anti-
susceptibility testing. Therefore Regulation
microbial
(EC) No 1003/2005 should be amended accordingly.

gallus

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with
Standing
Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

opinion

the

the

of

(1) OJ L 325, 12.12.2003, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Commission

Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005 (OJ L 170, 1.7.2005, p. 12).

(2) OJ L 303, 30.9.2004, p. 30.

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HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Community target

1.
The Community target referred to in Article 4(1) of Regu-
lation (EC) No 2160/2003 for the reduction of Salmonella enter-
itidis and Salmonella typhimurium in adult laying hens of Gallus
gallus (Community target) shall be as follows:

(a) An annual minimum percentage of reduction of positive

flocks of adult laying hens equal to at least:

(i) 10 % if the prevalence in the preceding year was less

than 10 %;

shall be considered as recommendations for the implementation
of this point in the national control programmes.

3.
The Commission shall consider a review of the testing
scheme in the Annex based on the experience gained during
the first year of the control programme as referred to in Article
5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 (the national control
programme).

Article 2

Amendment to Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005

In the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005, the following
points 3.4 and 3.5 are inserted:

(ii) 20 % if

the prevalence in the preceding year was

between 10 and 19 %;

‘3.4. Alternative methods

(iii) 30 % if

the prevalence in the preceding year was

between 20 and 39 %;

(iv) 40 % if the prevalence in the preceding year was 40 %

or more;

or;

(b) a reduction of the maximum percentage to 2 % or less;
however, for Member States with less than 50 flocks of
adult
flock may
remain positive.

laying hens, not more than one adult

The first target should be achieved in 2008 based on the moni-
toring starting in the beginning of that year. With regard to the
target in 2008, the results of the baseline study as carried out
pursuant to Article 1(1) of Decision 2004/665/EC shall be used
as reference referred to in this Article.

The

2.
to verify the progress on the
achievement of the Community target is set out in the Annex.

testing scheme

taken at

the initiative of

the
With regard to samples
operator, the methods of analysis provided for in Article
11 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 (*), may be used
instead of
the methods for the preparation of samples,
detection methods and serotyping provided for in point 3
of
if validated in accordance with EN/ISO
16140/2003.

this Annex,

3.5. Storage of strains

At least the strains isolated as part of the official controls,
shall be stored for future phagetyping or anti-microbial
susceptibility testing, using the normal methods for culture
collection, which must ensure the integrity of the strains for
a minimum period of two years.

___________
(*) OJ L 191, 28.5.2004, p. 1.’

Article 3

Entry into force

The achievement shall be evaluated taking into account the
results of three consecutive years.

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

When not described in the Annex, the technical specifications
referred to in Article 5 of Commission Decision 2004/665/EC

It shall apply from 1 August 2006.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 31 July 2006.

For the Commission

Markos KYPRIANOU
Member of the Commission

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Testing scheme necessary to verify the achievement of the Community target for the reduction of Salmonella
enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium in adult laying hens of Gallus gallus, as referred to in Article 1(2)

ANNEX

1.

SAMPLING FRAME

The sampling frame shall cover all flocks of adult laying hens of Gallus gallus (laying flocks) referred to in Article 1
of Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003.

2.

MONITORING IN LAYING FLOCKS

2.1.

Frequency and status of sampling

Laying flocks shall be sampled at the initiative of the food business operator (operator) and by the competent
authority.

Sampling at the initiative of the operator shall take place at least every fifteen weeks. The first sampling shall take
place at the age of 24 ± 2 weeks.

Sampling by the competent authority shall take place at least:

(a)

in one flock per year per holding comprising at least 1 000 birds;

(b) at the age of 24 ± 2 weeks in laying flocks housed in buildings where salmonella was detected in the preceding

flock;

(c)

in any case of suspicion of Salmonella enteritidis or Salmonella typhimurium infection, as a result of the epide-
miological investigation of food-borne outbreaks in accordance with Article 8 of Directive 2003/99/EC of the
European Parliament and of the Council (1);

(d) in all other laying flocks on the holding in case Salmonella enteritidis or Salmonella typhimurium are detected in

one laying flock on the holding;

(e)

in cases where the competent authority considers it appropriate.

A sampling carried out by the competent authority may replace one sampling at the initiative of the operator.

2.2.

Sampling protocol

In order to maximise sensitivity of sampling, both faecal material and the environment shall be sampled at least as
provided for in (a) and (b):

(a)

In cage flocks, 2 × 150 grams of naturally pooled faeces shall be taken from all belts or scrapers in the house
after running the manure removal system; however, in the case of step cage houses without scrapers or belts
2 × 150 grams of mixed fresh faeces must be collected from 60 different places beneath the cages in the
dropping pits.

(b) In barn or free-range houses, two pairs of boot swabs or socks be taken, without changing overboots between

boot swabs.

In the case of sampling by the competent authority, 250 ml containing at least 100 gram of dust shall be collected
from prolific sources of dust throughout the house.
If there is not sufficient dust, an additional sample of
150 grams naturally pooled faeces or an additional pair of boot swabs or socks shall be taken.

(1) OJ L 325, 12.12.2003, p. 31.

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In the case of sampling referred to in point 2.1(b), (c) and (d), the competent authority shall satisfy itself by
conduction further tests as appropriate that the results of examinations for salmonella in birds are not affected by
the use of antimicrobials in the flocks.

Where the presence of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium is not detected but antimicrobials or
bacterial growth inhibitory effect are it shall be accounted for as an infected laying flock for the purpose of
the Community target referred to in Article 1(2).

3.

EXAMINATION OF THE SAMPLES

3.1.

Transport and preparation of the samples

Samples shall be sent by express mail or courier to the laboratories referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No
2160/2003, on the day of collection. At the laboratory, samples shall be kept refrigerated until examination, which
shall be carried out within 48 hours following receipt.

3.1.1. Boot swab samples

(a) The two pairs of boot swabs (‘or socks’) shall be carefully unpacked to avoid dislodging adherent faecal
material, pooled and placed in 225 ml Buffered Peptone Water (BPW) which has been pre-warmed to room
temperature;

(b) The sample shall be swirled to fully saturate it and culture shall be continued by using the detection method

in 3.2.

3.1.2. Other faecal material and dust samples

(a) The faeces samples shall be pooled and thoroughly mixed and a 25 gram sub-sample shall be collected for

culture.

(b) The 25 gram sub-sample shall be added to 225 ml of BPW which has been pre-warmed to room temperature.

(c) Culture of the sample shall be continued by using the detection method in 3.2.

If ISO standards on the preparation of faeces for the detection of salmonella are agreed on, they shall be applied
and replace the above provisions on sampling preparation.

3.2. Detection method

The method recommended by the Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) for Salmonella in Bilthoven, the
Netherlands, for detection shall be used. This method is described in the current version of draft Annex D of
ISO 6579 (2002): ‘Detection of Salmonella spp. in animal faeces and in samples of the primary production stage’.
In this method, a semi-solid medium (modified semi-solid Rappaport-Vassiladis medium, MSRV) is used as the
single selective enrichment medium.

3.3.

Serotyping

At least one isolate from each positive sample shall be serotyped, following the Kaufmann-White scheme.

3.4. Alternative methods

With regard to samples taken at the initiative of the operator, the methods of analysis provided for in Article 11 of
Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 (1), may be used instead of the methods for the preparation of samples, detection
if validated in accordance with EN/ISO
methods and serotyping provided for in point 3 of
16140/2003.

this Annex,

3.5.

Storage of strains

At least the strains isolated from samples collected by the competent authority, shall be stored for future
phagetyping or anti-microbial susceptibility testing, using the normal methods for culture collection, which
must ensure integrity of the strains for a minimum of two years.

(1) OJ L 191, 28.5.2004, p. 1.

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4.

RESULTS AND REPORTING

A laying flock shall be considered positive for the purpose of verifying the achievement of the Community target,
where the presence of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium (other than vaccine strains) was detected in
one or more samples in the laying flock. Positive laying flocks shall be counted only once, irrespective of the
number of sampling and testing operations and only be reported in the first year of detection.

Reporting shall include:

(a)

the total number of flocks of laying hens tested and the number of laying flocks tested for each status of
sampling referred to in point 2.1;

(b) the total number of infected flocks and the results of the testing for each status of sampling referred to in

point 2.1;

(c) explanations on the results, in particular concerning exceptional cases.

The results referred to in this point and any additional relevant information shall be reported as part of the report
on trends and sources provided for in Article 9(1) of Directive 2003/99/EC.