Agriculture

We pay more attention to regulations and compliance to keep things simple for you.

A DEFRA / Scottish Government approved testing lab.

EC Regulation 2160/2003 sets out the framework for Salmonella control programmes in poultry and pigs and includes controls to protect public health. It requires poultry and other primary food producers to regularly check for Salmonella. To meet these requirements we offer an easy sampling and reporting system.

Six simple steps to compliance

  1. Request correct sampling kit: layers, breeders or broilers [email link]
  2. Provide “day old dates” for correct sampling plan.
  3. Follow instructions on when and how to properly take swabs
  4. Return samples using pre-paid/addressed envelopes
  5. Receive email update confirming lab has received sample
  6. Receive PDF test report satisfying auditors requirements

In addition to meeting your regulatory requirement using Express Microbiology as your testing lab will ensure you meet the British Lion Code which has additional requirements which includes environmental swabbing for total bacteria counts, water testing and Salmonella testing in eggs.

General Information for poultry farmers from the British LION Quality Code of Practice

British Lion Quality Code of Practice - What must registered farms do to comply?

The Code of Practice for Lion Quality eggs covers breeding flocks and hatcheries; pullet rearing; laying birds, including both hygiene and animal welfare requirements; on-farm handling of eggs; distribution of eggs from farm; feed; hen disposal; packing centre procedures; advice to retailers, consumers and caterers; environmental policy and enforcement.

The Lion Code of Practice is accredited to the EN 45011 international auditing standard.

Registration and traceability

To guarantee traceability, all breeding farms, hatcheries, rearing and laying farms, feed mills and packing centres involved in the production of Lion Quality eggs must be approved. All Lion Quality hen flocks must be accompanied by a passport certificate and all Lion Quality egg movement has to be fully traceable. The British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) maintains a 'live' database of all BEIC sites. It also maintains a register of inter-traded eggs.

Breeding flock controls

Hygiene controls for breeding flocks and hatcheries include hygiene swabbing of hen houses, regular microbiological monitoring of parent flocks and hatcheries, with slaughter of any flocks positive for salmonella-enteritidis or salmonella-typhimurium, and heat/acid treatment of feed.

For more information click to visit the lion egg farms website.