Salmonella control programme on a poultry farm: testing, obligations and consequences
The national Salmonella control programme requires every farmer to collect samples regularly and to respond to a positive result. Learn which serotypes are covered, who takes the samples, and what happens when an infection is confirmed.
verifiedFrom the team that has organised work on poultry farms for years.
What is the national Salmonella control programme?
Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council obliged member states to develop and implement national programmes for the control of specified Salmonella serotypes in poultry flocks. In Poland these programmes are approved by the Chief Veterinary Officer and updated annually on the basis of European Commission guidelines. The goal is to reduce the frequency of human Salmonella infections caused by poultry-derived strains.
Which Salmonella serotypes are covered?
Mandatory monitoring covers above all Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium (including the monophasic variant 1,4,[5],12:i:-) — the serotypes most frequently causing foodborne illness in humans in Europe. For breeding flocks of chickens and turkeys the programme additionally covers Hadar, Infantis and Virchow. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regularly assesses the epidemiology and recommends possible extensions to the list.
Who does the programme apply to — flock categories
The programme covers: breeding flocks of chickens (Gallus gallus), laying hen flocks, broiler flocks, and breeding and production turkey flocks. Each category has specific sampling frequency and method requirements. The minimum flock size subject to the testing obligation may differ by category — see the current programme approved by the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate (GIW).
Who collects the samples — the farmer or the inspectorate?
Samples under the programme may be collected by the farmer (operator sampling) or by an official veterinarian from the Veterinary Inspectorate (official sampling). Operator sampling takes place more frequently — results are forwarded to the supervising farm veterinarian. Official sampling serves as a check and verification. In case of discrepancy, the official result is definitive.
DlaFerm.pl — sample collection records
The SampleCollection module in DlaFerm.pl lets you log every sampling event: date, flock category, house number, who collected the sample, the laboratory order number, and the result. Documentation is available during Veterinary Inspectorate checks without searching through binders. Sample records integrate with the broader farm biosecurity system — see Poultry farm biosecurity.
How the national Salmonella control programme works — 5 key elements
The programme includes monitoring, laboratory confirmation, actions after a positive result, and trade restrictions.
Mandatory sample collection
The farmer or an official veterinarian collects samples from the poultry houses according to the schedule set out in the programme. Samples include boot swabs, faeces, nest-box dust or fat samples — depending on flock category.
Laboratory testing in an accredited facility
Samples are sent to a laboratory approved by the Veterinary Inspectorate. Testing includes culture, serotype identification and — for breeding flocks — phage or molecular typing. Results are transmitted to the District Veterinary Inspectorate.
Response to a positive result
Detection of a regulated Salmonella serotype triggers a procedure: the flock is placed under supervision and the district veterinary officer issues an administrative decision. Eggs from an infected laying flock may only go to pasteurisation or disposal. Broilers are directed to slaughter under veterinary supervision.
Treatment and decolonisation — limited options
Use of antibiotics to clear Salmonella from a flock is restricted in the EU — treatment cannot replace the control programme. Organic acids in feed and water are permitted as a supporting measure, as are vaccines (available for selected serotypes and flock categories).
Cleaning, disinfection and post-depopulation monitoring
After the production cycle of an infected flock, the house must undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection. Effectiveness is verified by a follow-up laboratory test (environmental sampling) before the house is restocked.
Reporting to GIW and the European Commission
National Salmonella control programme results are reported annually to the European Commission via GIW. The data form part of the EFSA report on trends and sources of zoonotic diseases in the EU.
Sampling schedule and method by flock category
Each category has distinct requirements for sampling frequency and sample type.
Breeding flocks of chickens (Gallus gallus)
Sampling in breeding flocks is most frequent: in a chick flock — within 3 weeks of placement; in the adult flock — at least twice during the production cycle, including 4 weeks before transfer or slaughter. Material: boot swabs plus nest-box dust or faeces.
Laying hen flocks (egg production)
Official sampling is carried out at least once during a 15-week rearing period and then every 15 weeks during the laying period. The farmer additionally carries out operator sampling. Material: boot swabs or faecal samples collected from the belt conveyor.
Broiler flocks
Operator and official sampling — at least once within 3 weeks before the planned slaughter date. Material: boot swabs (a pair) from each house. The result must be known before the flock is accepted at the slaughterhouse.
Breeding and production turkey flocks
Similar scheme to chickens, with sampling in the rearing unit and in the adult flock. Serotypes covered are S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, Hadar, Infantis and Virchow.
Sample material requirements
The standard is boot swabs — gauze or polyester socks pulled over shoes and walked around the house litter to collect faecal samples from the entire floor area. In cage-free and aviary systems, direct litter or nest-box faecal samples are also permitted.
Frequently asked questions about Salmonella on a poultry farm
When must a farmer report a positive Salmonella result?add
The laboratory is required to notify the district veterinary officer immediately of a positive result for a regulated Salmonella serotype. The farmer should be informed by the laboratory and by the farm’s supervising veterinarian. From that point the flock is under supervision, and the farmer cannot freely dispose of eggs or birds without a decision from the Veterinary Inspectorate.
What happens to eggs from an infected laying flock?add
Eggs from an infected laying flock cannot be sold directly as table eggs. Permitted destinations are: processing with pasteurisation (egg products), disposal, or — following a Veterinary Inspectorate decision — a slaughterhouse. The district veterinary officer’s decision specifies which destination is approved.
Can a flock be vaccinated against Salmonella?add
Yes, vaccines against Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium are available for laying and breeding flocks. Vaccination is permitted as a supporting measure — it does not replace mandatory monitoring and does not exempt a farmer from sampling or biosecurity procedures. A vaccination programme requires veterinary supervision.
How does Salmonella reach a farm?add
The main routes of entry are: infected chicks or hatching eggs (vertical transmission), feed contaminated with Salmonella, rodents and wild birds, people entering the farm without changing clothes and disinfecting footwear, and vehicles and equipment not properly disinfected. This is why biosecurity and house cleaning are the key tools of prevention.
How does house cleaning and disinfection affect Salmonella sample results?add
Thorough mechanical cleaning, removal of litter and droppings, followed by disinfection with products proven effective against Salmonella are the primary tools for reducing environmental contamination. Environmental sampling after disinfection should show the absence of regulated serotypes before restocking the house. Read more: Poultry house cleaning and disinfection.
Where can I find the current national programme requirements?add
Current Salmonella control programme guidelines are published by the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate (wetgiw.gov.pl). Annual Commission implementing decisions approving national programmes are available on EUR-Lex. Farmers should keep track of changes — programmes are updated every year.
Sources & resources
- linkChief Veterinary Inspectorate — animal disease control programmes
- linkEUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003 on the control of Salmonella
- linkEFSA — Salmonella: trends and sources (Zoonoses report)
- linkGov.pl — Veterinary Inspectorate, infectious disease control
- linkEUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 (hygiene of animal products)
Track Salmonella sampling with DlaFerm.pl
Want to see the sample records module in action or have a question about the programme? Write to us.
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