Avian Flu 2026: What Poultry Farms Must Do Facing New EU Emergency Zones

Key data

European poultry farms operating near active foci of high-pathogenicity avian influenza face immediate operational restrictions. The Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2483, published on 5 November 2026, amends the annex to Decision 2023/2447 and updates the map of emergency zones in certain EU Member States.

The regulation takes effect from 30 October 2026, meaning that any operator whose facility or transport route has been included in the newly delimited zones is already obliged to comply with the measures, even though official publication is later.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/2483 updates the annex to Decision 2023/2447, which is the European emergency response framework for HPAI outbreaks. The specific changes it introduces are:

• Redefinition of protection zones: The geographic perimeters of protection zones (the most restrictive, in the immediate vicinity of the focus) are updated.
• Redefinition of surveillance zones: The boundaries of surveillance zones (outer ring around protection zones) are also modified.
• Movement restrictions: Limitations are applied to the movement of poultry, eggs and derived products to and from affected zones.
• Enhanced controls: Farms in protection zones are subject to intensified inspections and additional biosecurity measures.
• Preventive culling: Competent authorities may order preventive culling of birds on farms included in delimited zones.

The regulation follows the zone management model established in Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law) and its implementing regulations. The annex update is the Commission's usual mechanism for adapting zones to the actual evolution of outbreaks, which change rapidly.

Economic and operational impact

For a poultry farm included in a protection zone, the operational consequences are immediate and can be very serious:

• Paralysis of sales and movements: Restrictions on the movement of birds, eggs and derived products can completely interrupt the supply chain and sales while the delimited zone remains in effect.
• Cost of preventive culling: If authorities order preventive culling, the farm loses the value of its bird stock. Compensation systems vary by Member State.
• Enhanced biosecurity costs: Additional veterinary controls, cleaning and disinfection, movement records and surveillance staff generate unforeseen direct costs.
• Risk of penalties for non-compliance: Failure to comply with measures may result in administrative sanctions and suspension of activities, according to each Member State's regulations.
• Impact on transporters: Routes crossing protection or surveillance zones may be blocked or require express authorization for the transport of birds and poultry products.

For operators outside delimited zones, the impact may be indirect: supply chain disruptions, product shortages or price increases if key suppliers are affected.

Who does it affect?

• Poultry farms (chicken, turkey, duck, laying hen farms, etc.) located in the updated protection or surveillance zones in the new annex.
• Transporters of poultry and poultry products whose routes run through or towards delimited zones.
• Slaughterhouse and processing plant operators that receive birds or products from affected zones.
• Marketers and distributors of eggs and derived products originating from delimited zones.
• Spanish farms if any region of Spain appears in the updated annex of Decision 2026/2483.
• Veterinarians and poultry sector advisors who must update their clients' biosecurity protocols.

Practical example

A broiler chicken farm located in a region that has been included in the protection zone following the annex update of Decision 2026/2483 faces the following situation from 30 October 2026:

• It cannot move live birds outside the farm without express authorization from the competent authority.
• It cannot market eggs or derived products to markets outside the zone without meeting the additional requirements established in the Decision.
• It must undergo enhanced veterinary inspections and maintain detailed records of all internal movements.
• If the competent authority detects signs of the virus, it may order preventive culling of the entire batch, with the economic losses that entails.

If that same farm were in the surveillance zone (outer ring), the restrictions would be less severe but it would still be subject to additional controls and movement limitations that would affect its daily operations.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if the farm or transport route is in the new annex: Consult the full text of Decision 2026/2483 on EUR-Lex to check if facilities or routes are included in the updated protection or surveillance zones.
2. Contact the competent veterinary authority: If there are doubts about geographic delimitation, contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (in Spain) or the corresponding regional authority to confirm the farm's status.
3. Review and strengthen biosecurity protocols: Regardless of whether the farm is in a delimited zone, update biosecurity plans given the active circulation of the virus in the EU.
4. Inform transporters and customers: Immediately communicate any movement restrictions to logistics operators and customers who depend on supply from the farm.
5. Review insurance coverage: Verify whether the farm's insurance policy covers losses from preventive culling or suspension of activity due to health order.
6. Document everything: Keep detailed records of movements, controls and communications with the authority, as non-compliance can result in sanctions and suspension of activities.

Official source

Consult full regulation on 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_202602483