Avian Flu 2026: new restricted zones in the EU affecting the poultry sector

Key data

If you operate a poultry farm, an egg production company or trade in poultry or its derivatives within the EU, this regulation could halt your operations overnight. The Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1944, published on 11 August 2026 and in force since 7 August, amends the annex to Decision 2023/2447 and redraws the restricted zones due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in several Member States.

The key is not in the title of the regulation, but in the technical annex: if your facility appears in it, restrictions are immediate. If it does not appear, you should still remain alert because updates follow rapidly when new outbreaks occur.

What does this regulation establish?

This decision amends the annex to the Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447, which is the basic framework for emergency measures against HPAI in the EU. The specific update details the following elements:

The previous regulation (2023/2447) already established the general regime of emergency measures. This 2026 update does not change the underlying legal framework, but rather redraws the specific zones based on detected active outbreaks. This means that a farm that was not restricted yesterday may be today, and vice versa.

Economic and operational impact

The consequences for an affected company are immediate and can be very severe:

• Paralysis of movements: Poultry, eggs and derived products from restricted zones cannot circulate freely within the intra-community market.
• Intra-community trade restrictions: Operators in affected zones may see their sales to other Member States blocked while the restriction lasts.
• Compliance costs: Implementation of reinforced health protocols, additional controls, possible preventive culling of birds and management of biological waste.
• Sanctions for non-compliance: Non-compliance with demarcations and protocols may result in administrative sanctions and additional trade restrictions, as established by the regulation.
• Reputational and contractual impact: Customers in other Member States may activate force majeure clauses or suspend supply contracts.

The real economic impact depends directly on whether the facility falls within or outside the zones delimited in the technical annex. That is why the first action is to verify the annex before any other decision.

Who does it affect?

• Poultry producers with facilities in the territories delimited in the annex to Decision 2026/1944
• Egg production companies located in updated protection or surveillance zones
• Intra-community trade operators of poultry, eggs and derived products from affected areas
• Processing and distribution companies that receive raw materials from restricted zones
• Spanish exporters if any region of Spain is included in the updated annexes
• Veterinarians and animal welfare officers in farms in affected territories
• Specialized transporters in the movement of poultry and poultry products between Member States

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish egg production company with facilities in a region that, following the update of the annex to Decision 2026/1944, is included in a surveillance zone. As of 7 August 2026:

• The company must immediately apply the reinforced health protocols established in Decision 2023/2447 and its amendments.
• Any movement of eggs or birds to other Member States is subject to additional controls and possible restrictions.
• If the facility were in a protection zone (perimeter closest to the outbreak), restrictions would be even more severe, potentially including a total prohibition on movements.
• The operator must notify the competent Spanish authority and demonstrate compliance with the new protocols before resuming any shipments.
• Non-compliance with these obligations may result in administrative sanctions and blocking of its products at intra-community borders.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the technical annex to Decision 2026/1944 in the EU Official Journal to verify if your own facilities or those of key suppliers fall within any restricted zone. This step is urgent: the regulation has been in force since 7 August 2026.
2. Review Decision 2023/2447 (modified base regulation) to understand the complete regime of health obligations applicable to protection and surveillance zones.
3. Contact the competent regional or national authority (in Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) to confirm whether any Spanish region is included in the updated annexes.
4. Activate reinforced internal biosecurity protocols if the facility is in an affected or bordering zone, without waiting for formal notification.
5. Inform customers and business partners in other Member States about the status of the facilities, to avoid unmanaged contractual interruptions.
6. Document all compliance actions adopted since 7 August, as in case of inspection or sanction, the traceability of measures taken is key to your defense.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source — EU Official Journal, OJ:L_202601944

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_202601944