Key data
| Regulation | Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2395 of 22 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Modified standard | Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447 — Annex of restricted zones |
| Publication in OJEU | 26 October 2026 |
| Entry into force | 22 October 2026 |
| Affected parties | Poultry producers, exporters and importers of birds, eggs and poultry products in delimited zones of the EU |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries — Animal Health |
| Notification reference | C(2026) 7673 |
If you operate poultry farms, market eggs or export poultry products within the EU, this decision could block your operations overnight. Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2395, published on 26 October 2026 and in force since 22 October, amends the annex to Decision 2023/2447 and redraws the map of restricted zones for high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in the European Union.
The operational key is this: the updated annex adds or removes restricted zones based on the epidemiological evolution of outbreaks. If your farm or your usual supplier falls within a new zone, restrictions are immediate.
What does this regulation establish?
The decision amends the annex to the base regulation (Decision 2023/2447), which is the document listing geographically all active protection and surveillance zones in the EU for HPAI outbreaks. This type of modification occurs periodically to reflect the actual epidemiological situation: when a new outbreak appears, a zone is added; when it is controlled, it is removed.
The specific measures that apply in delimited zones are:
- Protection zones: immediate perimeter around the outbreak focus. Stricter restrictions: prohibition of exit of live poultry, eggs and poultry products without express authorization.
- Surveillance zones: wider area around the protection zone. More flexible movement restrictions, but with enhanced controls and traceability requirements.
- Mandatory biosecurity protocols: operators in both zones must apply strict confinement measures, disinfection and access control.
- Preventive culling: in certain cases, competent authorities may order culling of affected or at-risk flocks.
- Trade restrictions: trade in live birds, hatching eggs, table eggs and poultry products from or to delimited zones is subject to authorization and specific health certification.
The amended regulation (2023/2447) remains the legal basis. The 2026 decision only updates the geographical annex, so the regime of obligations and sanctions applicable is that established in the original regulation and in Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on transmissible animal diseases.
Economic and operational impact
The impact varies depending on whether the farm or supply chain falls within or outside the delimited zones. The most direct operational effects are:
| Situation | Operational impact |
|---|---|
| Farm within protection zone | Total or partial paralysis of bird and egg movements. Possible preventive culling. Enhanced biosecurity costs. |
| Farm within surveillance zone | Movement restrictions with additional controls. Need for health certification for each shipment. |
| Exporter with suppliers in affected zone | Supply blockage or need to find alternative suppliers outside the zone. Delivery delays. |
| Importer with destination in affected zone | Possible border or destination rejections if the zone is listed in the updated annex. |
| Company outside affected zones | No immediate direct impact, but must monitor annex updates. |
The economic cost of being within a protection zone can be very high: sales paralysis, extraordinary biosecurity costs, possible compensation for preventive culling (according to each Member State's national regulations) and loss of commercial contracts due to delivery delays.
Who does it affect?
- Poultry producers with farms in protection or surveillance zones delimited in the new annex.
- Live poultry trading companies operating in or towards affected zones.
- Exporters and importers of eggs (for consumption or hatching) with origin or destination in restricted zones.
- Poultry processing industry receiving raw materials from farms in delimited zones.
- Logistics operators and transporters specializing in poultry products transiting through affected zones.
- Veterinary advisors and farm technicians who must certify compliance with biosecurity protocols.
Practical example
A Spanish fresh egg exporting company regularly works with two supplier farms located in a region of a Central European Member State. Following the publication of Decision 2026/2395, one of those farms is included in a new surveillance zone in the updated annex.
From 22 October 2026, shipments from that farm require specific health certification and are subject to additional controls at origin. If the company does not verify the new annex and issues an order without the required documentation, the batch may be blocked at the border or rejected by the end customer, with the costs of return, destruction or storage that this entails.
The correct action is to verify the updated annex before each shipment and require the supplier to provide the corresponding health certification issued by the competent authority of the Member State.
What should companies do now?
- Consult the updated annex of Decision 2026/2395 to verify if any of your production zones, supply or commercial destination is listed as an active protection or surveillance zone.
- Contact your poultry suppliers in other Member States to confirm whether their farms are within any delimited zone and whether they have the necessary health certification to ship products.
- Review current supply contracts and identify force majeure or breach clauses that may be activated if a supplier is blocked by restrictions.
- Activate enhanced biosecurity protocols if your farm is in an affected zone: bird confinement, access control, visitor registration and vehicle disinfection.
- Communicate to your competent veterinary authority any symptoms compatible with HPAI in your farm. Mandatory and rapid notification is a legal requirement and can determine the type of measures applied.
- Monitor annex updates on a regular basis: the Commission publishes new modification decisions frequently as the epidemiological situation evolves. A change in the annex can affect you without prior notice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my farm or supply zone is included in the new restricted zones?
You must consult the updated annex of Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2395, available in the Official Journal of the EU (EUR-Lex). The annex lists geographically all active protection and surveillance zones. You can also contact the competent veterinary authority of your autonomous community or Member State to confirm whether your municipality or region is included.
What specific restrictions apply if my farm is in a protection zone?
In a protection zone, the exit of live poultry, hatching eggs, table eggs and poultry products is prohibited without express authorization from the competent authority. In addition, you must apply strict biosecurity protocols: bird confinement, vehicle disinfection and access control. In serious cases, authorities may order preventive culling of flocks.
When do these restrictions come into force?
Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2395 entered into force on 22 October 2026, although it was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 26 October 2026. The restrictions are applicable from that date for all zones included in the updated annex.
What happens if I ship eggs or birds from a restricted zone without the required documentation?
The batch may be blocked at the border, rejected at destination or seized by health authorities. In addition, the operator may face administrative sanctions under the applicable Member State regulations and European legislation on transmissible animal diseases (Regulation (EU) 2016/429). The costs of return, destruction or storage are borne by the operator.
How frequently is the annex of restricted zones updated?
The European Commission publishes new annex modification decisions periodically, depending on the epidemiological evolution of HPAI outbreaks. There is no fixed schedule: updates can occur at any time. This is why it is essential to monitor the OJEU and communications from the competent veterinary authority continuously.
Official source
View complete regulation at 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_202602395
