News item | 05-11-2025 | 12:01
After worrying figures about an increased occurrence of Salmonella Enteritidis in the Dutch poultry sector since May 2023, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) Femke Wiersma has asked the sector to take additional measures. To counter this increase, from less than two percent to approximately four percent, the Dutch poultry sector has taken measures in anticipation of possible mandatory measures.
Increase in cases of illness
Salmonella Enteritidis is a bacterium that mainly causes illness through contact with or eating contaminated food, especially raw or undercooked eggs. People who contract this bacteria mainly experience intestinal complaints, but infection can also lead to more serious complaints such as fever. Since May 2023, more laying hens and people have contracted this bacteria. This poses a risk to public health and food safety, requiring additional measures.
Sector takes responsibility
During a recent administrative consultation with the poultry sector association, the trade organization promised the minister to take additional measures. The poultry sector has laid down this in an implementation decision that has been in force since October 20, 2025. The majority of laying poultry farmers in the Netherlands receive met this executive order to make. An important part of this decision is more frequent testing for salmonella, so that infections can be found at an early stage. A separate cleaning and disinfection protocol has also been in force since October 23, 2025 for the transport of eggs from infected laying poultry farms. This should lead to fewer infections.
Monitor and adjust
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) support the efforts of the poultry sector to reduce the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis in laying hens, as well as the additional monitoring measures to reduce the number of human cases of disease.
The ministries are closely monitoring developments and remain in contact with the sector about this. For example, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is conducting a cluster analysis to identify the causes of the increase and is conducting surveillance on the number of human cases of disease. This monitors the effect of the measures on public health.
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has also been asked to draw up a risk assessment, including a supervisory picture, for the laying hen sector. The House was informed on September 22, 2025 and will be informed again in early 2026 about the state of affairs, the steps the sector is taking and whether any mandatory measures should be imposed.