EU Avian Influenza 2026: restrictions affecting the Spanish poultry sector

Key data

Poultry producers, exporters and importers in the EU have new restricted zones to comply with from 27 March 2026. Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/783 amends the annex to the emergency regulation in force since 2023 —Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447— updating the protection and surveillance zones in the Member States affected by outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Non-compliance is not an option: the regulation expressly provides for penalties and the suspension of commercial activity for those who do not follow the protocols. And although Spain is not listed as a primary affected country, no poultry company with international operations can ignore this update.

What does this regulation establish?

This decision does not create a new framework: it amends the annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2447, which has been in force since 2023 as a response to outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the EU. What changes now is the specific delimitation of the affected zones.

Protection and surveillance zones are geographical perimeters delimited around infection foci. Within them, movements of poultry, eggs and derived products are subject to specific controls and restrictions. Outside them, commercial operations must verify that products do not originate from these areas.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact falls on operators located in the restricted zones of the affected Member States: their product movements are limited and they must implement biosecurity and notification protocols immediately. The most serious risk is the suspension of commercial activity due to non-compliance.

For Spanish companies, the impact is indirect but real:

• Supply chains: If suppliers or commercial partners are in restricted zones of other Member States, supplies of poultry, eggs or derived products may be interrupted or delayed.
• Exports: Export operations to or through Member States with restricted zones may require additional documentation or be temporarily blocked.
• Imports: Spanish importers must verify that the products they receive do not originate from active protection or surveillance zones.
• Risk of penalties: Operating with products from restricted zones without complying with the protocols may result in penalties and suspension of activity.

Who is affected?

• Poultry producers located in protection or surveillance zones of any EU Member State: required to comply with biosecurity and notification protocols.
• Exporters of poultry, eggs and derived products from or to Member States with active restricted zones.
• Importers of poultry and poultry products in the EU who must verify the origin of their goods.
• Spanish companies in the poultry sector with supply chains or commercial relationships with operators in other affected Member States.
• Advisors and compliance officers of food sector companies with exposure to the European poultry market.

Practical example

A Spanish egg importing company that regularly works with a supplier in an EU Member State has an order scheduled for early April 2026. Before executing the operation, it must verify whether the supplier's facility or its zone of origin is included in the protection or surveillance zones updated in the annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/783.

If the supplier is within a restricted zone, the movement of eggs to Spain may be subject to restrictions or directly prohibited without the corresponding protocols. Executing the import without this verification exposes the Spanish company to penalties and the suspension of that line of commercial activity.

The correct course of action is to consult the updated annex published on 31 March 2026, contact the supplier to confirm their situation and, if there are restrictions, activate alternative suppliers or wait for the measures to be lifted.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the updated annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/783, published on 31 March 2026, to identify which protection and surveillance zones are active in each Member State.
2. Verify the origin of all supplies of poultry, eggs and derived products to confirm they do not come from restricted zones.
3. Review ongoing international contracts and commercial operations with suppliers or clients in affected Member States, and assess the risk of disruption.
4. Implement or strengthen biosecurity and notification protocols if the company operates in affected zones, as required by the regulation for operators in those areas.
5. Establish a continuous monitoring system for restricted zones, as these are updated with each new implementing decision of the European Commission as outbreaks evolve.
6. Consult a specialist advisor if there are doubts about the legality of specific operations, given that non-compliance may result in penalties and suspension of commercial activity.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=CELEX:32026D0783