04 March 2026
In an effort to strengthen public health protection and modernize poultry production standards, the French Ministry of Agriculture has introduced a revised protocol for the management of Salmonella in laying hen flocks. The updated framework, developed in collaboration with scientific authorities (Anses) and industry representatives (CNPO), places greater emphasis on preventive vaccination rather than strict regulatory enforcement.
Although vaccination remains voluntary, the Ministry is implementing a differentiated testing regime designed to encourage uptake. Producers who fully vaccinate their laying hen flocks against S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium will benefit from a simplified monitoring scheme based exclusively on faecal sampling, thereby eliminating the requirement for more complex environmental swabbing. By contrast, non-vaccinated flocks will continue to be subject to enhanced surveillance, including both faecal and environmental sampling.
Through the promotion of vaccination, the protocol seeks to reduce on-farm Salmonella prevalence and limit bacterial shedding into the environment, ultimately lowering the risk of egg contamination.
This regulatory development underscores France’s commitment to maintaining stringent food safety standards while supporting the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of its poultry sector.
