Avian Flu 2026: EU restrictions for poultry producers

Key data

Poultry producers and operators in the poultry chain in the territories included in the updated annex of Decision 2026/1426 face immediate operational restrictions from June 25, 2026. This decision modifies the annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447, which is the EU's reference framework for emergency measures against high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks.

The update reflects the epidemiological evolution of active outbreaks: new zones where cases have been detected are added and those where the health situation has improved are removed. The practical result is that the map of restrictions changes, and any poultry operator must verify whether their facility falls within or outside the delimited zones.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1426 does not create a new regulatory framework: it modifies the annex to Decision 2023/2447, which is the base standard that regulates emergency measures against HPAI in the EU. The mechanism is as follows:

• The Commission periodically reviews the epidemiological situation in the Member States.
• Based on confirmed outbreaks, adds or removes restriction zones in the annex to the base standard.
• Zones included in the annex are subject to specific emergency measures: restrictions on the movement of poultry and poultry products, and the obligation to apply strict biosecurity protocols.
• Zones removed from the annex return to normal operations.

Note: Decision 2026/1426 does not publish the detailed list of specific zones in the available summary. To know exactly which territories are included or excluded in the updated annex, it is essential to consult the full text in the EU Official Journal (EUR-Lex).

Economic and operational impact

The restrictions resulting from an HPAI emergency zone have direct consequences on the profit and loss account of any affected poultry operator:

• Limitation or paralysis of sales: Movement restrictions prevent or condition the commercialization of live birds and poultry products from affected zones, cutting off revenue streams immediately.
• Reinforced biosecurity costs: The protocols required in restriction zones involve investment in protective equipment, disinfection, access control and additional records.
• Risk of preventive culling: Depending on the level of the zone (protection or surveillance), veterinary authorities may order preventive culling of flocks, with the consequent economic impact on the operator.
• Supply chain disruption: Slaughterhouses, processing plants, distributors and exporters that depend on suppliers in affected zones must seek alternative sources or assume production stoppages.
• Impact on exports: Poultry products from restriction zones may be excluded from third country markets that apply HPAI import restrictions.

Who does it affect?

• Poultry producers (chicken farms, turkeys, ducks, laying hens, etc.) whose facilities are within the zones delimited in the updated annex.
• Poultry chain operators: slaughterhouses, cutting rooms, poultry product processing and packaging plants in affected areas.
• Distributors and marketers that move live birds or poultry products to or from restriction zones.
• Poultry exporters whose products originate from territories included in the annex.
• Veterinary authorities of the affected Member States, responsible for implementing and supervising compliance with the measures.
• Logistics and transport companies specializing in poultry goods that operate on affected routes.

Practical example

A broiler chicken farm located in an area that has been added to the annex by Decision 2026/1426 from June 25, 2026 faces the following immediate operational situation:

• It cannot move live birds outside the restriction zone without express authorization from the competent veterinary authority.
• It must immediately apply the reinforced biosecurity protocols established in Decision 2023/2447: visit control, vehicle disinfection, entry and exit records, and active monitoring of the flock's health status.
• If it has supply contracts with a slaughterhouse outside the zone, it must notify the situation and negotiate deadlines or seek an authorized slaughterhouse within the zone or with special permission from the authorities.
• If the farm is located in an area that has been removed from the annex, it recovers freedom of movement and can resume normal commercial activity without additional restrictions derived from this regulation.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if the facility is in a restriction zone: Consult the full text of Decision 2026/1426 in EUR-Lex and cross-check the coordinates or delimitations of the updated annex with the exact location of each facility.
2. Contact the competent veterinary authority: If there is doubt about whether the facility falls within or outside the zone, the official veterinary authority of the Member State is the contact to obtain confirmation and guidance.
3. Activate or review the biosecurity protocol: If the facility is in an affected zone, verify that biosecurity protocols comply with the requirements of Decision 2023/2447 and its amendments.
4. Notify customers and suppliers: Immediately inform business partners about applicable restrictions to avoid contractual breaches and plan alternative supply options.
5. Review insurance coverage: Check whether the farm's policy covers losses resulting from emergency health measures and, if applicable, notify the insurer of the claim.
6. Monitor annex updates: Restriction zones are updated periodically according to epidemiological evolution. Establish an alert system to detect new amendments to Decision 2023/2447 that may affect the facility.

Official source

Consult complete 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=CELEX:32026D1426