Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of import control and inspection regimes for eggs, including salmonella testing.

Import controls for products entering Great Britain (GB) are set through the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). Import controls are based upon an assessment of the risk to animal and public health. Like all import controls under the BTOM, controls for eggs are kept under regular risk-based review to ensure robust control is in place.

Imports of eggs must originate from countries and establishments approved to export to GB and must meet relevant sanitary and food safety requirements. Consignments are subject to documentary, identity and physical checks at GB Border Control Posts.

Salmonella controls in eggs are primarily managed through requirements applied at source, including exporting country assurances, official controls and certification. GB does not routinely test every imported consignment of eggs for salmonella at the border. Importers of eggs and food business operators handling eggs have a responsibility to ensure compliance with GB food safety requirements.