Commission Regulation (EC) No 584/2008 of 20 June 2008 implementing Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards a Community target for the reduction of the prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium in turkeys (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2008-06-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: animal disease, poultry, veterinary inspection, zoonosis

21.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 162/3

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 584/2008

of 20 June 2008

implementing Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as
regards a Community target for the reduction of the prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis and
Salmonella typhimurium in turkeys

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(4)

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of
the
the Council of 17 November
European Parliament and of
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)

(3)

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

the prevalence of all

Regulation
a
Community target to be established for the reduction
salmonella serotypes with
of
public health significance in turkeys at
the level of
in
primary production. Such reduction is important
view of the strict measures which are to apply to fresh
meat from infected flocks of turkeys in accordance with
that Regulation,
In
particular, fresh poultrymeat, including meat of turkeys,
for human
may not be placed on the market
consumption unless it meets the following criterion:
‘salmonella absence in 25 grams’.

from 12 December 2010.

as

that

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

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

Food

requirements,

Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 provides that experience
gained under existing national control measures and
information forwarded to the Commission or to the
existing
European
Safety Authority
the
in
Community
in Directive
framework of
2003/99/EC of
the
Council of 17 November 2003 on the monitoring of
zoonoses and zoonotic agents (2), and in particular
Article 5 thereof, should be taken into account when
setting the Community target.

information provided for
the European Parliament and of

under
particular

in

Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 provides that, when
defining each Community target, the Commission shall
provide an analysis of its expected costs and benefits.
However, by way of derogation, the Community target
for turkey, covering Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella
typhimurium may be establish for a transitional period
without such analysis.

Comparable data on the prevalence of the salmonella
serotypes in flocks of turkeys in Member States have
therefore been collected in accordance with Commission
Decision
2006
of
from the
concerning
Community towards a baseline survey on the prevalence
of salmonella in turkeys to be carried out in the Member
States (3).

2006/662/EC

contribution

September

financial

29

a

Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 provides that for a tran-
sitional period of three years, the Community target for
and
turkeys
Salmonella typhimurium. Other
serotypes with public
health significance may be considered after that period.

to cover only Salmonella

enteritidis

is

In order to verify progress on the achievement of the
Community target,
for
repeated sampling of flocks of turkeys in this Regulation.

is necessary to provide

it

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 turkeys.

(1) OJ L 325, 12.12.2003, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by
L 280,

(EC) No 1237/2007 (OJ

Commission Regulation
24.10.2007, p. 5).

(2) OJ L 325, 12.12.2003, p. 31. Directive as amended by Council

Directive 2006/104/EC (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 352).

(3) OJ L 272, 3.10.2006, p. 22.

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The Task Force on Zoonoses Data Collection of the EFSA
adopted on 28 April 2008 a Report on the Analysis of
the baseline survey on the prevalence of salmonella in
flocks of
in the EU, 2006-2007, Part A:
turkeys
Salmonella prevalence estimates.

However, for Member States with less than 100 flocks of adult
breeding or fattening turkeys, the Community target shall be
that no more than one flock of adult breeding or fattening
turkeys may remain positive by 31 December 2012.

(10)

(11)

(12)

In
(EC)
accordance with Commission Regulation
No 646/2007 of 12 June 2007 implementing Regulation
(EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of
the Council as regards a Community target
for the
reduction of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhi-
and repealing Regulation (EC)
murium in broilers
No 1091/2005 (1), at
two pairs of boot/sock
least
swabs shall be taken to sample flocks of broilers for
salmonella. New scientific evidence demonstrates the
using a combination of one pair of boot/sock swabs
with a dust sample is at least as sensitive as sampling
by taking two pairs of boot/sock swabs. Therefore, this
combination should be allowed as alternative sampling
method and Regulation (EC) No 646/2007 should be
amended accordingly.

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

opinion

the

the

of

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Community target

1.
The Community target, as referred to in Article 4(1) of
Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003, for the reduction of Salmonella
enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium in turkeys (‘Community
target’) shall be:

(a) a reduction of the maximum percentage of fattening turkey
flocks
and
Salmonella typhimurium to 1 % or less by 31 December
2012; and

remaining positive of Salmonella

enteritidis

(b) a reduction of the maximum percentage of adult breeding
turkey flocks remaining positive of Salmonella enteritidis and
Salmonella typhimurium to 1 % or less by 31 December
2012.

2.
The testing scheme necessary to verify progress in the
achievement of the Community target is set out in the Annex.

The Commission shall consider a review of the target and
3.
the testing scheme set out
in the Annex based on the
experience gained in 2010 being the first year of the national
control programmes as referred to in Article 5(1) of Regulation
(EC) No 2160/2003.

Article 2

Amendment to Regulation (EC) No 646/2007

In the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 646/2007, the following
paragraphs are added:

1. at the end of point 2:

‘Alternatively, the competent authority may decide that one
pair of boot swabs shall be taken, covering 100 % of the
area of the house if combined with a dust sample, collected
from multiple places throughout the house from surfaces
with visible presence of dust.’;

2. after the second paragraph of point 3(1):

‘The dust sample shall preferably be analysed separately.
However, the competent authority may decide to pool
it
with the pair of boot/sock swabs for analysis.’

Article 3

Entry into force and applicability

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

Articles 1(1) and (3), and 2 shall apply from 1 July 2008 and
Article 1(2) shall apply from 1 January 2010.

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

Done at Brussels, 20 June 2008.

For the Commission

Androulla VASSILIOU
Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 151, 13.6.2007, p. 21.

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ANNEX

Testing scheme necessary to verify the achievement of the Community target as referred to in Article 1(2)

1. Frequency and status of sampling

(a) The sampling frame shall cover all flocks of fattening and breeding turkeys covered by the scope of Regulation (EC)

No 2160/2003.

(b) Flocks of turkeys shall be sampled on the initiative of the food business operator and by the competent authority.

(i) Sampling of flocks of fattening and breeding turkeys on the initiative of the food business operator shall take
place in accordance with Article 5(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 within three weeks before the birds
are moved to the slaughterhouse. The results remain only valid until maximum six weeks after sampling and
therefore repeated sampling of the same flock might be required.

(ii) Additionally, sampling of flocks of breeding turkeys on the initiative of the food business operator shall take

place:

— in rearing flocks: at day-old, at four weeks of age and two weeks before moving to the laying phase or

laying unit,

— in adult flocks: at least every third week during the laying period at the holding or at the hatchery.

(iii) Sampling by the competent authority shall include at least:

— once a year, all flocks on 10 % of holdings with at least 250 adult breeding turkeys between 30 and
45 weeks of age but including in any case all holdings where Salmonella enteritidis or Salmonella typhimurium
was detected during the previous 12 months and all holdings with elite, great grand parents and grand
parent breeding turkeys; this sampling may also take place at the hatchery,

— all flocks on holdings in case of detection of Salmonella enteritidis or Salmonella typhimurium from samples
taken at the hatchery by food business operators or within the frame of official controls, to investigate the
origin of infection,

— once a year, all flocks on 10 % of the holdings with at least 500 fattening turkeys, but in any case:

— all flocks on the holding when one flock tested positive for Salmonella enteritidis or Salmonella typhi-
murium in samples taken by the food business operator, unless the meat of the turkeys in the flocks is
destined for industrial heat treatment or another treatment to eliminate salmonella, and

— all flocks on the holding when one flock tested positive for Salmonella enteritidis or Salmonella typhi-

murium during the previous round in samples taken by the food business operator, and

— each time the competent authority considers it necessary.

A sampling carried out by the competent authority may replace the sampling on the initiative of the food business
operator.

2. Sampling protocol

2.1. Sampling at the hatchery

Sampling shall occur at the hatchery in accordance with the provisions laid down in point 2.2.1 of the Annex to
Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005 (1).

2.2. Sampling at the holding

2.2.1. Breeding turkeys

Samples shall be taken in accordance with the provisions laid down in point 2.2.2 of the Annex to
Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005.

(1) OJ L 170, 1.7.2005, p. 12.

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2.2.2. Fattening turkeys

At least two pairs of boot/sock swabs shall be taken. For free range flocks of turkeys, samples shall only be
collected in the area inside the house. All boot/sock swabs must be pooled into one sample.

In flocks with less than 100 turkeys, where it is not possible to use boot/sock swabs as access to the
houses is not possible, they may be replaced by hand drag swabs, where the boot swabs or socks are worn
over gloved hands and rubbed over surfaces contaminated with fresh faeces, or if not feasible, by other
sampling techniques for faeces fit for the intended purpose.

Before putting on the boot/sock swabs, their surface shall be moistened with maximum recovery diluents
(MRD: 0,8 % sodium chloride, 0,1 % peptone in sterile deionised water), or sterile water or any other
diluent approved by the national reference laboratory referred to in Article 11 of Regulation (EC)
No 2160/2003. The use of farm water containing antimicrobials or additional disinfectants shall be
prohibited. The recommended way to moisten boot swabs shall be to pour the liquid inside before
putting them on. Alternatively, boot swabs or socks may be autoclaved with diluents within autoclave
bags or jars before use. Diluents may also be applied after boots are put on using a spray or wash bottle.

It shall be ensured that all sections in a house are represented in the sampling in a proportionate way.
Each pair should cover about 50 % of the area of the house.

Alternatively, the competent authority may decide that one pair of boot swabs shall be taken, covering
100 % of the area of the house if combined with a dust sample, collected from multiple places throughout
the house from surfaces with visible presence of dust.

On completion of sampling the boot/sock swabs shall be carefully removed so as not to dislodge adherent
material. Boot swabs may be inverted to retain material. They shall be placed in a bag or pot and labelled.

The competent authority shall supervise education of the food business operators to guarantee the correct
application of the sampling protocol.

In the case of sampling by the competent authority because of suspicion salmonella infection in a flock on
that holding and in any other case considered appropriate, the competent authority shall satisfy itself by
conducting further tests as appropriate so that the results of examinations for salmonella in flocks of
turkeys are not affected by the use of antimicrobials in those flocks.

Where the presence of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium is not detected but antimicrobials or
bacterial growth inhibitory effect are detected it shall be considered as an infected flock of turkeys 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 preferably be sent by express mail or courier to the laboratories referred to in Articles 11 and 12 of
Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003, within 24 hours after collection. If not sent within 24 hours, they shall be stored
refrigerated. At the laboratory samples shall be kept refrigerated until examination, which shall be started within
48 hours following receipt and within 96 hours after sampling.

The pair(s) of boot/sock swabs 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. The
boot/sock swabs shall be fully immersed in BPW and therefore more BPW may be added if necessary.

The dust sample shall preferably by analysed separately. However, the competent authority may decide to pool it
with the pair of boot/sock swabs for analysis.

The sample shall be swirled to fully saturate it and culture shall be continued by using the detection method in
point 3.2.

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Other samples (e.g. from hatcheries) shall be prepared in accordance with the provisions laid down in point 2.2.2
of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1003/2005.

If ISO standards on the preparation of faeces for the detection of salmonella are agreed on, they shall be applied
and replace the provisions on the preparation of samples set out in this point.

3.2. Detection method

The detection method recommended by the Community reference laboratory (CRL) for salmonella in Bilthoven,
the Netherlands, shall be used.

That method is described in the Annex D of ISO 6579 (2002): ‘Detection of salmonella spp. in animal faeces and
in samples of the primary production stage’. The latest version of Annex D shall be used.

In that detection 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 on the initiative of the food business 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 methods and serotyping provided for in points 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of this Annex, if validated in
accordance with EN/ISO 16140/2003.

3.5. Storage of strains

Laboratories shall guarantee that at least one isolated strain of salmonella spp. per house and per year can be
collected by the competent authority and stored for possible future phage typing 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.

4. Results and reporting

4.1. Detection of Salmonella enteritidis and/or Salmonella typhimurium

The laboratory shall immediately report each detection of Salmonella enteritidis and/or Salmonella typhimurium to
the competent authority and give holding and flock references.

4.2. Calculation of prevalence for the verification of the Community target

A flock of turkeys shall be considered positive for the purpose of verifying the achievement of the Community
target, where the presence of Salmonella enteritidis and/or Salmonella typhimurium (other than vaccine strains) was
detected in the flock at any occasion.

Positive flocks of turkeys shall be counted only once per round, irrespective of the number of sampling and
testing operations and only be reported in the year of the first positive sampling.

The prevalence shall be calculated separately for flocks of fattening turkeys and flocks of adult breeding turkeys.

(1) OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1, corrected version OJ L 191, 28.5.2004, p. 1.

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4.3. Annual reporting

The annual reporting shall include:

(a) the total number of flocks of fattening and adult breeding turkeys sampled by the competent authority or by

the food business operator;

(b) the total number of flocks infected with Salmonella enteritidis or Salmonella typhimurium, of fattening and adult

breeding turkeys;

(c) all serotypes of salmonella isolated (including other than Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium) and

the number of flocks infected per serotype;

(d) explanations of the results, in particular concerning exceptional cases.

The results 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 (1).

4.4. Additional information

At least the following information shall be made available from each flock of turkeys tested for analysis at
national level or by the European Food Safety Authority at its request:

(a) sample taken by the competent authority or by the food business operator;

(b) holding reference, remaining unique in time;

(c) house reference, remaining unique in time;

(d) month of sampling.

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