"It will set the target for an annual reduction of at least 10% in the number of positive adult laying flocks, compared with the previous year," she said.

The starting baseline in Wales - and the rest of the UK - will be 8% prevalence of salmonella enteritidis and s.salmonella typhimurium serotypes.

A UK-wide survey of commercial laying flocks in 2004-05 showed that around 8% of layer flock holdings in the UK were infected with salmonella.

"This demonstrates excellent progress of industry-led initiatives to reduce salmonella prevalence in laying flocks," said Ms Jones.

"However, work still needs to be done to reduce this level further and minimise the possible impact of the heat treatment requirement on producers.

"The national control programme will enable the laying flocks sector to build on its success in the protection of human health and benefit from producers across the EU applying approaches that are consistent and comparable."

The NCP will require operators to collect samples for salmonella testing from day-old layer chicks coming onto the farm and then from pullets two weeks before transfer to the layer house. It also requires laying flocks to be sampled every 15 weeks during production.

The samples have to be submitted to an approved laboratory for examination for salmonella.

The full consultation package, which includes the national control programme and other information, is available online at www.assemblywales.org.

Further Reading

- Find out more information on salmonellosis by clicking here.