Noble Foods, the UK’s leading egg company, is launching an innovative new scheme to provide egg producers with free of charge salmonella insurance from 1 January 2009. Noble Foods’ cover will be available to all producers subject to them testing as currently “salmonella free” and successful completion of a veterinary audit.
Noble Foods’ Chief Executive Peter Thornton explains “Changes to the national control programme kick in from January 2009 onwards – from this point onwards, any flock testing positive under the National Control Programme for Salmonella enteritidis (S.e) or Salmonella typhimurium (S.t) will result in the heat treatment of eggs or birds being sent for slaughter. We expect the incidence of positive flocks to be very low, however we are aware of the uncertainty and implications surrounding these new regulations for producers, especially in the absence of government compensation for a business suffering as the result of such an outbreak. This new scheme is one of the ways that we are demonstrating our commitment to supporting our egg producers”.
Noble Foods is uniquely well placed to launch such initiatives. Existing high standards of production and the backing of the Lion code of Practice, coupled with excellent producer liaison mean that they can provide the ideal platform for successful management of such a scheme. Noble Foods is expected to receive wide-spread industry support for its far-sightedness on this critical business issue.
Noble Foods’ Contract Producer and Poultry Director Martin Troop comments “Flocks will be entered into the scheme from 1 January 2009 onwards. During the first quarter of 2009, veterinary practices across the country will conduct audits, the costs of these will be borne by Noble Foods. Egg producers will need to pass the audit, and to also be part of the Lion Scheme, in order to remain within the insurance scheme. AS the pre-eminent packer of eggs in the UK, 100% dedicated to providing the highest levels of service to our customers, this new scheme is one of a variety of ways that Noble Foods are showing our support for egg producers”.
Noble Foods
www.noblefoods.co.uk
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