Danes salmonella assault could cost millions

By Marianne Curtis

DANISH attempts to score political and marketing points over salmonella in pigs could cost the EU pig industry millions of Pounds – despite the fact that no case of human salmonellosis has ever been traced to pigmeat in the UK.

Thats the threat facing producers if an EU-wide control programme is introduced on the back of likely Danish pressure insisting that all salmonella standards match its own.

Later this month, the Danish Vet and Food Administration (DVFA) will present a report on the low incidence of salmonella in Denmarks pig herds to the EC zoonoses working group.

According to Brussels-based food safety consultant Richard North, this could have far-reaching implications.

“Ever since several thousand Danes died from salmonellosis in the 1950s, it has remained a politically sensitive issue in the country.

“Danes are clever marketeers with the potential to harness this domestic issue and turn it into an EU-wide issue.”

A Danish surveillance programme in 1993 showed that pork may be a source of human salmonellosis, says DVFA head Bent Nielson.

“A control programme was implemented in 1995 which involves sampling meat from all herds producing over 100 slaughter pigs a year.”

The country has a strict salmonella control programme costing 8-10 million a year, and is well-placed to initiate demands for a tougher EU stance.

Over 97% of Danish herds are now free from salmonella and producers running the remaining 3% face deductions of up to 4% on slaughter pigs, adds Dr Nielson.

Stopping salmonella control measures being incorporated in EU law could be a difficult task, according to Dr North.

“There is no perceived salmonella problem and MAFF must act now through presenting risk assessment data at EU level.

“The cost of implementing a control programme would be enormous, running into hundreds of millions of pounds.”

Whether a control programme is put in place or not, salmonella could become a hot marketing issue.

Danish Bacon and Meat Councils marketing director John Howard says he has no wish for a public debate on food safety.

However, he has hinted before that public attacks on Denmarks welfare record may lead it to retaliate over salmonella.

“It is not in the best interest of British and Danish pig industries to have detailed debates about welfare and safety issues as it damages consumer perception about pork.

“However, the Danish Meat and Bacon Council does face a dilemma when industry grievances turn into a disparaging attack on imported meat.”

But the Royal Vet Colleges Mac Johnston believes the salmonella issue is being used as a Danish marketing ploy.

He also says that there is a conflict between salmonella control and welfare.

Even with salmonella control programmes, the move to more extensive pig production methods means the infection can never be completely eradicated from herds, he says.

“Salmonella can be eradicated in intensive, biosecure systems.

“However, the Danes are having problems clearing it from less intensive and outdoor herds.”

He believes there is a pay-off for having welfare-friendly, outdoor pig production as the presence of birds, rats and foxes means it is more difficult to free these herds from salmonella.

“Salmonella in pigs is not killing people or causing illness.

“The issue is being used as a marketing ploy by Denmark and relies on the use of heavily intensive pig production systems.”

Nevertheless, Ian Mclaren, a VLA researcher who was involved in a recent UK salmonella study, believes market defence may depend on having a control scheme.

“According to VLA research salmonella in pigs is declining in the UK.

“When human salmonellosis outbreaks occur, they are carefully investigated.

“Only one has ever been traced to pigmeat, which was placed on a contaminated surface.

“But Danish salmonella monitoring of pork may turn it into a marketing issue, meaning the UK has to do the same to avoid being at a marketing disadvantage.”