Denmark stops salmonella monitoring in pigs

Denmark will cease national monitoring of Salmonella in pigs as of 1 January 2025, due to stable infection numbers and low cases of illness from Danish pork. Responsibility for maintaining low Salmonella levels will shift to slaughterhouses, while at least 540 caecal samples will be collected annually in slaughterhouses to track the national Salmonella status.

As of 1 January 2025, Denmark will stop national monitoring of Salmonella in pigs. Salmonella has been monitored in pig herds since 1995, but in recent years it has become apparent that the number of infections has remained stable. The percentage of Salmonella infections in pigs and fresh pork has remained around one percent in recent years. The number of cases of illness from Danish pork is also low. Based on these findings, the Danish Food Authority has decided to end Salmonella monitoring in pigs. The new regulation, which will come into effect on 1 January 2025, makes slaughterhouses responsible for maintaining low Salmonella levels in Danish pork. With the entry into force of the regulation, monthly blood collection at breeding farms, blood testing for Salmonella in fattening pigs and nest sampling from sows will stop, among other things. In order to maintain insight into the national Salmonella status, at least 540 caecal samples are collected annually in slaughterhouses. ...