SEPARATE SLAUGHTER OF SALMONELLA-POSITIVE AND SALMONELLA-NEGATIVE BROILER FLOCKS AS PART OF A QUALITY MARK PROGRAM

In two series 253 broiler flocks were tested for Salmonella 2 to 3 wee ks before the scheduled slaughter date by taking drag swabs and collec tive faeces samples (Zoonoses Directive, 92/117/EEC). Salmonella were detected in 35% of the samples. Taking nine cloacal swabs as required by the Poultry Hygiene Regulation (BGBl.274/1991) only 17% of the samp les were positive. Seven Salmonella-negative flocks were tested in ser ies I. The number of Salmonella-positive carcasses ranged between 0 to 13% taking whole carcass rinse samples and 0 to 6% taking skin sample s. In one case, however, 56(rinse sample) and 20% (skin) of the carcas ses were contaminated with Salmonella, respectively. In series II the number of Salmonella-positive carcasses was also very low considering the first three trials. The other four trials showed contamination lev els of the carcasses in an area of 23 to 56%, because of big defaults in cleaning and desinfection of the slaughter plant. The investigation of Salmonella positive broiler flocks revealed a high number of posit ive results for the skin samples too, in particular for the serovar S. Enteritidis.