Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the operation of (a) the Zoonoses Directive 2003/99 and (b) the Zoonoses Regulations 2160/2003.
Answer
The Directive and the Regulation replace and expand on existing measures for protection against zoonoses and zoonotic agents in animals, animal feed and products of animal origin.The Zoonoses Directive (2003/99) places a requirement on member states to ensure that data on the occurrence of zoonoses and zoonotic agents and anti-microbial resistance are collected, analysed and published. A working group of representatives from Defra, Department of Health, their supporting agencies, and their equivalents in the devolved administrations collaborates in collecting the information and submitting the UK annual report to the European Commission. This addresses the trends and sources of zoonotic agents in animals, feed and food, and the analysis of the significance to public health. The UK report is available on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/zoonoses/trends~sources.htmThe Zoonoses Regulation 2160/2003 requires that government and primary producers follow the framework it sets for the reduction of zoonotic agents in animals on farms. Implementation of the Regulation has commenced with programmes to reduce salmonella of public health significance after the completion of surveys to establish the base-line values of Salmonella in member states.The first control programme covers breeding flocks of domestic fowl and will be implemented by 1 January 2007. It builds on the statutory salmonella control programme that has been in operation in this sector since 1989.Control plans for Salmonella of human health significance in other sectors are required and are expected to be implemented for laying flocks (January 2008), broilers (2009) turkeys and fattening pigs (2010); and finally breeding pigs (2011).Our intention is for industry bodies and government to work in partnership on the production of the control plans and this approach was supported by the partners at an initial meeting in July 2005. The poultry and pig industries are made up of different sectors and Defra has set up five working groups to assist in the development of control plans. Representatives from the different sectors, the Food Standards Agency, and the regions are also involved.Defra will consult fully on implementing domestic legislation.