The aim of the priority action was to determine the extent of contamination of such farms with Listeria sp., in particular Listeria monocytogenes. The action was carried out as a monitoring action. A food law assessment of the samples was not planned.

165 environmental samples (gully samples and swab samples from the production environment) from Austrian businesses were analysed. 33 businesses were sampled. Listeria spp. was detected in 21 samples:

• Listeria monocytogenes in eight samples
• Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua in one sample
• Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria seeligeri in one sample
• in seven samples Listeria innocua
• in four samples Listeria seeligeri