Salmonella control programme – results for 2020: Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium amongst laying hens continues to decline

Note: the original source of this report is the BfR website – see BfR Opinion No 026/2023 issued 19 June 2023

As part of the EU-wide programme to combat Salmonella, the member states compile an
annual report on the proportion of Salmonella-positive flocks in breeding poultry (Gallus
gallus), laying hens, broilers and breeding and fattening turkeys. For the national report, the
German federal states have forwarded the results of their investigations to the responsible
federal authorities for evaluation since 2007. This data is used to compile the annual report
on the control programme by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).
Evaluation of the data for 2020 shows a minimal change in the occurrence (prevalence) of
Salmonella for all animal species and production types considered in the report, compared
to the previous year. While the detection rate was somewhat higher for breeding chickens
and broilers, it declined for laying hens. The level of the previous year was maintained for
breeding and fattening turkeys. Regarding the control-relevant Salmonella types (serovars),
the control objectives were achieved for all poultry groups considered. According to the
requirements of community law, Salmonella serovars relevant for control should be
detectable in a maximum of 1 % or 2 % (laying hens) of the flocks examined.