The Dutch poultry sector is implementing new measures in an effort to curb a rise in Salmonella Enteritidis infections, which have been increasing in both laying hens and humans. Since May 2023, the incidence of Salmonella Enteritidis in Dutch laying hens has climbed from less than 2 percent to 4 percent in 2024, double the European Union target of 2 percent. Because the bacterium is most often transmitted through raw or undercooked eggs, officials have grown increasingly concerned about the growing number of cases in flocks and the associated rise in human illness.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), Femke Wiersma, has urged the industry to take action quickly, signalling that mandatory rules could be imposed if voluntary efforts do not show results. During a recent meeting with the trade organization AVINED, industry representatives committed to strengthening monitoring efforts and reducing Salmonella Enteritidis levels in laying hens, as well as taking steps to limit the number of human infections.
A central part of the new approach is significantly increasing testing frequency. Laying flocks up to 65 weeks of age will now be tested every eight weeks, while older flocks will be tested every four weeks, rather than every 15 weeks as currently required under EU regulations. A new cleaning and disinfection protocol for transporting eggs from infected farms came into effect in October, and farm visitors must now follow stricter hygiene rules. Additional booster vaccinations for hens are also planned. Detection numbers have continued to rise, with 74 positive flocks identified in 2023, 81 in 2024, and 50 in just the first half of 2025.
Human cases are being closely monitored by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). In 2023, Salmonella Enteritidis was confirmed in 425 patients; in 2024, that number was 400; and as of June 2025, 209 cases had already been recorded. Whole genome sequencing of these isolates has revealed many small clusters, indicating that infections are coming from multiple sources rather than one large outbreak. In April, RIVM advised the LVVN and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to intensify testing, cull infected birds more quickly, and conduct a comparative study to better understand why infection rates differ between the Netherlands and other European countries.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is preparing a risk assessment focused on the laying hen sector, which is expected in early 2026. Parliament was briefed on the issue in September and will receive further updates next year on industry progress, the development of infections, and whether stronger regulatory measures will be required.
