At the present time, salmonella is the principal food-borne zoonotic agent in Spain and the European Union. This is why it deserves a separate chapter and specific legislation for its monitoring and control: Regulation (EC) no.2160/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council on the control of salmonella and other specified food-borne zoonotic agents.                      

This regulation lays down the bases for the creation of food-borne zoonotic agent control programmes. It commences by setting out requirements for controlling salmonella, but since it comprises a unit that is inseparable from Directive 2003/99/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on the monitoring of zoonosis and zoonotic agents, which was transposed into Spanish law by virtue of Royal Decree 1940/2004, passed in Spain on 27th September 2004, on the monitoring of zoonosis and zoonotic agents, it leaves the door open to other agents for which it might be considered to be necessary to establish specific control programmes, such as in the future might occur in the event of campylobacter spp.

The control of salmonella in said Regulation is set out progressively for different animal species: flocks of the species Gallus gallus, turkeys and swine.

The general procedure that has been laid down commences with the determination of the prevalence of salmonella among the target population, then an objective is determined to reduce prevalence and lastly the specific control programmes for each Member State are presented and approved. 

The order of populations to be controlled that has been established is as follows:

• Breeding hens          

During 2004, a baseline study on prevalence in flocks of breeding hens was conducted. By virtue of Commission Regulation (EC) no. 1003/2005 of 30th June 2005 implementing Regulation (EC) no. 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council as regards a Community target for the reduction of the prevalence of certain salmonella serotypes in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus and amending Regulation (EC) no. 2160/2003 a target for reduction was set for a transitional period which was to end on 31st December 2009. The Commission approved the national control programmes by virtue of Decision 2006/759/EC of 8th November 2006 approving certain national programmes for the control of salmonella in breeding flocks of Gallus gallus. By virtue of Commission Regulation (EU) no. 200/2010 of 10th March 2010 implementing Regulation (EC) no. 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council as regards a Union target for the reduction of the prevalence of Salmonella serotypes in adult breed flocks of Gallus gallus the target was set to reduce prevalence applicable as from 1st January 2010.

NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE MONITORING, CONTROL AND ERADICATION OF CERTAIN Salmonella SEROTYPES IN FLOCKS OF BREEDING HENS OF THE SPECIES Gallus gallus 2012.

• Laying hens

A baseline study on prevalence was conducted in compliance with: Commission Decision 2004/665/EC of 22nd September 2004 as regards a baseline study on the prevalence of salmonella in laying flocks of Gallus gallus, and the target for reduction was set in compliance with Commission Regulation (EC) no. 1168/2006 of 31st July 2006 implementing Regulation  (EC) no. 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council as regards a Community target for the reduction of the prevalence of certain salmonella serotypes in laying hens of Gallus gallus amending Regulation (EC) no. 1003/2005. The national control programmes were approved by virtue of Commission Decision 2007/848/EC of 11th December 2007 approving certain national programmes for the control of salmonella in flocks of laying hens of Gallus gallus. The implementation of the programmes commenced on 1st January 2008.

NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF CERTAIN SEROTYPES OF Salmonella IN LAYING HENS OF Gallus gallus 2012.

• Chickens for fattening   

A baseline survey on prevalence is currently underway in line with the Commission Decision 2005/636/EC,of 1 September 2005, concerning a financial contribution by the Community towards a baseline survey on the prevalence of Salmonella spp.in broiler flocks of Gallus gallus to be carried out in the Member States. A reduction target has been set from the Commission Regulation (EU) Nº 200/2012,of 8 March 2012, concerning a Union target for the reduction of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium in flocks of broilers, as provided for in Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council. National control programmes have been approved through the Commission Decision 2008/815/EC,of 20 October 2008, approving certain national programmes for the control of Salmonella in flocks of broilers of Gallus gallus.

NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF CERTAIN SEROTYPES OF Salmonella IN BROILERS OF Gallus gallus 2012.

• Turkeys 

A baseline survey on prevalence was carried out in line with the Commission Decision 2006/662/EC, of 29 September 2006, concerning a financial contribution from the Community towards a baseline survey on the prevalence of Salmonella in turkeys to be carried out in the Member States. A reduction target has been confirmedthrough the Commission Regulation (EU) No 1190/2012, of 12 December 2012, concerning a Union target for the reduction of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium in flocks of turkeys, as provided for in Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council.National control programmes have been approved through the Commission Decision 2009/771/EC, of 20 October 2009, approving certain national programmes for the control of Salmonella in turkeys.

NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF CERTAIN SEROTYPES OF SALMONELLA IN TURKEYS: breeding turkeys and broilers 2012.

• Slaughter pigs  

A baseline survey on prevalence has been conducted in accordance with Decision 2006/668/EC of 29th September 2006 concerning a financial contribution from the Community towards a baseline survey on the prevalence of Salmonella in slaughter pigs to be conducted in the Member States.          

• Breeding pigs

A baseline survey on prevalence has been conducted in accordance with Commission Decision 2008/55/EC of 20th December 2007 concerning a financial contribution from the Community towards a survey on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in herds of breeding pigs to be conducted in the Member States.