Lax import controls on eggs creates ‘perfect storm’ for latest salmonella outbreak says HCR Law

Last week Public Health England announced it is investigating a national outbreak of a type of Salmonella Enteritidis which has affected 156 people.

On August 15, it said that 55 cases had been seen in Hampshire, 25 in London, 33 in Cheshire and Merseyside, and 43 in the West Midlands. Cases have also been seen in Austria and France.

In England, the cases occurred as isolated clusters over several months and have been managed locally but are now being reassessed as potentially linked under a national investigation.

Aled Owen, Partner in HCR Law’s Agriculture team, says the effects of Brexit and manner of enforcement by the egg marketing inspectorate in the UK has created a perfect storm for the egg industry.

He said: “The political need to allow importation of products has allowed the movement of eggs into the UK with limited control, while the strict regulation of the egg and chick regulations on any eggs stated to be dirty or cracked, has created an unfair and level playing field for egg producers.

“It is deeply concerning therefore that the entire industry is under the spotlight because imported eggs are once again under scrutiny in connection with a serious Salmonella outbreak. “The industry has long raised concerns that the regulators have not addressed many risks associated with imported eggs.

“The UK industry has invested significantly in world leading technology to audit, address and ensure standards. Mandatory Salmonella vaccination traceability and audits are targeting improved standards. But all the while more eggs are being imported which are not subject to such stringent checks.

“Industry body the British Lion egg producers have been advocating for change most recently through their “shell shocked report” but their warnings haven’t been heeded.

“Consumers should expect imported eggs and egg products to meet the same high standards of our domestic producers. The Food Standards Agency accepts that UK eggs are safe to be served runny or even raw to vulnerable groups. The same standards should be applied to all producers domestic and imported.

“The standards must be equal, otherwise it places the UK industry at a significant financial disadvantage and damages the entire industry.

“Resources are limited, but instead of taking a heavy-handed approach to the UK egg industry which is already complying, the focus should shift to those imported eggs, which are often cheaper, produced to lesser standards.

“The government should regulate those producers to ensure fairness to the UK industry and a quality, safer product to the customers.”

For anyone facing issues around imported eggs, contact Aled Owen.