08 May 2026
The Scientific Committee of the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) has released a comprehensive opinion regarding proposed amendments to the Belgian regulatory framework for Salmonella control. These updates aim to refine the Royal Decree of September 21, 2020, which established the foundational requirements for the surveillance and management of zoonotic Salmonella in poultry flocks.
Recent data indicates a persistent discrepancy between "official" samples taken by authorities and "autocontrol" samples collected by operators. This gap, alongside emerging challenges in vaccine efficacy and the economic burden of testing, prompted the Belgian authorities to seek a scientific reassessment to ensure the integrity of the food chain.
Core Updates as of May 2026
The Committee has advised a formal prohibition of the "cap method"(1) for environmental sampling until further validation, citing concerns over its sensitivity compared to standardized boot swabs. Furthermore, a rigorous investigation has been launched into the statistical variance between official and operator-led testing, suggesting that the "human factor" and sampling technique remain critical vulnerabilities in early detection.
The Committee emphasized stricter veterinary oversight for vaccination protocols. While delegation of vaccination to operators is still permitted, it must now be accompanied by periodic efficacy comparisons conducted by the attending veterinarian.
(1) Cap Method refers to a specific sampling technique used to detect Salmonella in day-old chicks immediately upon their arrival at the farm. The technician swabs the interior surfaces of the transport box lids (the "caps") or the paper liners at the bottom of the crates. It is significantly less reliable than sampling meconium or using boot swabs in the transport environment.
