The Dutch poultry sector has taken measures to try to curb the rise in salmonella cases.
The figures show an increase in the incidence of Salmonella Enteritidis in laying hens from May 2023 from less than 2 percent to 4 percent in 2024. The EU target is 2 percent.
Salmonella Enteritidis primarily causes illness by eating contaminated food, especially raw or undercooked eggs. Since May 2023, the number of laying hens and people infected with this type of salmonella has increased.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) Femke Wiersma called on the industry to act before introducing any mandatory regulations.
Industry Actions
During a recent meeting with trade body AVINED, the chicken industry promised to take further steps to reduce the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis in laying hens, as well as additional monitoring to reduce the number of human cases.
A key element of the plan, which will affect the majority of laying farmers in the Netherlands, is increased testing for salmonella, allowing for early detection of infections. A separate cleaning and disinfection protocol for transporting eggs from contaminated laying hen farms also came into force in October.
Layer flocks under 65 weeks of age will be sampled every eight weeks, while flocks over 65 years of age will be sampled every four weeks, rather than every 15 weeks as required by European regulations. Visitors to poultry farms must strictly adhere to hygiene protocols, and additional booster vaccinations are planned.
There were 74 positive herds detected in 2023, 81 in 2024, and 50 in the first half of 2025.
People get sick
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) tracks the number of human cases. In 2023, Salmonella isolates from 425 patients were classified as Salmonella Enteritidis. In 2024 there were 400 cases, and by June 2025 there were 209 cases. WGS analysis of the isolates revealed many small clusters consistent with different sources of infection.
In April, RIVM sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). The RIVM advised reducing infections in poultry by testing for salmonella more frequently, asking farmers to remove infected chickens more quickly and conducting research into differences between the Netherlands and other European countries.
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has also been tasked with preparing a risk assessment for the laying hen sector, with a focus on salmonella. It is expected to be published in early 2026.
Parliament was informed in September and will be informed in 2026 about the situation, the steps the industry is taking and the need for mandatory measures.
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