Salmonella risk in pig farming is lower than ever
The salmonella monitoring in the QS scheme shows a decrease in the critical salmonella classification (category III companies) by 50 percent compared to the previous year. While it was 2019% in 3,3, this year only 1,6% of all almost 20.000 pig fattening farms show an increased risk. If you compare the figures with the situation when salmonella monitoring was introduced in 2003, then the proportion of farms with a high salmonella risk has fallen significantly.
"Since the start of QS salmonella monitoring 17 years ago, the risk of salmonella infection in pig fattening farms has never been as low as it is today," says QS Managing Director Dr. Hermann-Josef Nienhoff is pleased with the development. “Sensitivity to salmonella has steadily increased along the entire value chain. This low risk of salmonella could only be achieved through a joint approach by all those involved across the company boundaries," Nienhoff explains the success of the partners in the QS scheme.
In 2003, QS introduced mandatory salmonella monitoring for all pig farmers who sell animals for slaughter. The samples are examined for the presence of salmonella antibodies and the analysis results are recorded in the QS salmonella database. Quarterly, the pig farmers receive a status report on all results with evaluations.
Critical companies are thus regularly warned to raise awareness of the issue and are asked to examine the ways in which Salmonella enters. You have to take concrete measures to reduce Salmolenel contamination.
"The development proves us right that a data-based early warning system can offer companies the necessary assistance to identify risk factors, reduce them and thus further improve food safety," says Nienhoff, summarizing the objective of salmonella monitoring in the QS scheme.
QS salmonella monitoring - development of the proportion of category III farms (2004 to 2020)
