Avian Flu 2026: New Restricted Zones in the EU and What Poultry Operators Must Do

Key data

If you produce, transport or export poultry, eggs or derived products in the EU, this decision could halt your operations overnight. The Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1958, adopted on 21 August 2026, amends the annex to Decision 2023/2447 and redraws the map of restricted zones for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the European Union.

The operational key is immediate: the updated annex reflects the evolution of active outbreaks, which means that some zones that were previously free now have restrictions, and others that were blocked may have recovered free movement. Failing to verify your situation is equivalent to assuming a regulatory compliance risk with direct commercial consequences.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1958 modifies exclusively the annex to Decision 2023/2447, which is the document listing the specific geographic zones subject to emergency measures for HPAI in the Member States. This type of modification occurs recurrently as the epidemiological situation evolves.

The measures applied in the zones included in the annex are as follows:

• Protection zones: Immediate area around the infection focus. The strictest restrictions apply: prohibition of movement of poultry, eggs and derived products outside the zone without express authorization.
• Surveillance zones: Perimeter area outside the protection zone. Restrictions are less severe but equally binding: movement controls, reinforced biosecurity protocols and notification obligation.
• Biosecurity protocols: Operators in affected zones must apply strict biosecurity measures in their facilities.
• Preventive culling: Where appropriate, the competent authorities may order preventive culling of birds.
• Notification obligation: Any suspicion or confirmed case must be reported to the competent health authorities immediately.

The amendment to the annex can both expand restricted zones (new outbreaks detected) and lift restrictions (zones that have passed the control period without new cases). Both movements have direct impact on commercial operations.

Economic and operational impact

The consequences for companies are immediate and tangible. An operator whose zone is included in the updated annex faces:

• Export blockage: Poultry products originating from restricted zones cannot circulate freely to other Member States or to third countries that recognize EU measures.
• Additional biosecurity costs: Implementation or reinforcement of health protocols in production facilities.
• Veterinary costs: Greater frequency of mandatory veterinary inspections and controls.
• Risk of preventive culling: In the most serious cases, total loss of the bird batch without guarantee of immediate compensation.
• Loss of commercial contracts: International buyers may cancel orders due to uncertainty about product origin.

Conversely, operators whose zones are excluded from the list recover full marketing capacity, which represents an opportunity to resume suspended contracts and recover market share.

Who does it affect?

• Poultry producers located in protection or surveillance zones included in the updated annex of Decision 2023/2447.
• Exporters of poultry, eggs and derived products whose zones of origin or destination have been modified in the new list.
• Importers receiving poultry products from Member States affected by outbreaks.
• Veterinarians and animal health managers in poultry farms in the affected Member States.
• Competent health authorities of Member States with active outbreaks, responsible for implementing and supervising measures.
• Logistics and transport operators moving birds or poultry products between affected and unaffected zones.

Practical example

Imagine an egg exporting company with facilities in a region that, following the publication of this Decision, has been included in a surveillance zone in the new annex.

Until 20 August 2026, that company operated normally and exported its products to other Member States without restrictions. From 21 August, the date of entry into force of Decision 2026/1958, its shipments are subject to movement controls and may be blocked at the border if not accompanied by the specific health documentation required for surveillance zones.

If the company fails to verify the new annex and continues to send goods without updated certificates, it is exposed to: shipment rejection at destination, return or destruction costs, and possible sanctions for non-compliance with emergency measures. Verification of the updated annex is therefore an immediate and non-delegable action.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify the updated annex to Decision 2023/2447 as amended by Decision 2026/1958, and identify whether the zones of origin or destination of your operations have been included, expanded or excluded from the list.
2. Communicate the change in situation to the logistics and commercial team so they review pending and in-transit shipments that may be affected by the new restrictions.
3. Review the health documentation of all shipments of poultry, eggs and derived products crossing affected zones, ensuring compliance with specific requirements for protection or surveillance zones.
4. Strengthen biosecurity protocols in facilities located in affected zones, following the guidelines of the competent veterinary authority of your Member State.
5. Establish an alert system to monitor future amendments to the annex, as these decisions are updated frequently according to the epidemiological evolution of outbreaks.
6. Consult with the official veterinarian of your farm or with the competent health authority if your zone has been included in the list, to determine specific notification obligations and possible preventive culling measures.

Official source

Consult full regulation in official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601958