The British Poultry Council welcomes the FSA’s decision to issue an official warning around ongoing salmonella issues with imported poultry product from Poland, and calls for loads to be rejected that do not meet requirements.
Following a series of outbreaks linked to Polish poultry products throughout 2023, the FSA reminds consumers of the importance of safe handling and cooking of poultry meat.
BPC Chief Executive, Richard Griffiths, said: “We have long established and rigorous processes to deal with salmonella, and we follow these to the letter to produce food that people trust and value. It is disappointing that Poland are unable to do the same, and are willing to export their hygiene problems instead of dealing with them.
It is positive to see the FSA highlight the importance of introducing full import controls on food and feed coming into the UK from the EU. It is vital that controls on imports are introduced as a matter of justice to British poultry meat businesses upholding the standards that define our production system. Controls protect consumers and businesses from the risks posed by imports produced to lower standards. The sooner they are fully implemented the better.
In the meantime we want to see authorities stopping to check every single load that comes in from Poland, and rejecting those that do not meet requirements.”
