Call for ban on Spanish eggs over salmonella fears

The Government and the European Commission have been criticised for failing to take action to ban Spanish eggs, which have been linked to a number of salmonella outbreaks in the past two years.

The broadside was launched today by the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) over what it says is a failure to tackle Spanish egg standards.

This is despite the fact that the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have announced they are to step up action.

BEIC chairman Andrew Parker said: "It is ridiculous that two years after the problem with Spanish eggs first became apparent no action has been taken.

"It is now time for the UK Government to ban Spanish eggs.

"Since the introduction of the British Lion programme in 1998, we have seen cases of salmonella in humans plummet in the UK.

"This situation is now being threatened by the continued use of cheap Spanish eggs by some caterers."

The majority of UK eggs were now produced under the British Lion scheme, which included stringent food safety standards and vaccination of hens against salmonella enteritidis, he added.

The FSA said it was also pressing the European Commission to do more to tackle the issue.

Since January, Spanish eggs must be stamped "ES" so consumers and caterers know to be extra careful when using them.

In August Michelin-starred Kent restaurant Chapter One was hit by a salmonella outbreak, apparently from a batch of Spanish eggs.

by Nic Paton

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