Avian Influenza HPAI 2026: urgent restrictions for the poultry sector in the EU

Key data

Poultry companies in zones demarcated due to new highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks have been subject to operational restrictions since 13 March 2026, with no transition period. Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/676 amends the annex to Implementing Decision 2023/2447, updating the protection and surveillance zones in the Member States affected by the latest detected outbreaks.

This is not an entirely new regulation: it is an update to the emergency framework that has been active since 2023, but with new geographical areas incorporated and restrictions that require any company located in those zones to act immediately.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/676 amends the annex to the HPAI emergency regulation in force since 2023 to reflect new outbreaks detected in certain Member States. The specific changes it introduces are:

• Update of protection zones in the Member States affected by new HPAI outbreaks.
• Update of surveillance zones around the detected outbreaks.
• Restrictions on the movement of poultry, eggs and derived products within and outside the demarcated zones.
• Obligation for reinforced controls for companies located in demarcated areas.
• Possibility of preventive culling in affected holdings.
• Commercial limitations for companies in protection and surveillance zones.
• Obligation for national authorities to implement the updated restrictions without delay.

The distinction between a protection zone and a surveillance zone is relevant for companies: protection zones apply stricter and more immediate measures around the outbreak focus, while surveillance zones have a wider perimeter with somewhat less intensive controls, but equally binding.

The specific affected zones are set out in the updated annex to Decision 2023/2447, which is the reference document that companies must consult to verify whether their location falls within any of the demarcated areas.

Economic and operational impact

The impact on a poultry company in a demarcated zone is not merely administrative: it directly affects the capacity to produce, move product and sell.

The export impact is particularly significant: if the company operates in a demarcated zone, its international customers in third countries that follow EU sanitary regulations as a reference may reject or suspend orders until the restrictions in that area are lifted.

Who is affected?

• Poultry producers with holdings located in protection or surveillance zones updated by Decision 2026/676.
• Egg production companies located in demarcated areas or receiving supply from those zones.
• Manufacturers of poultry-derived products (processed goods, preserves, prepared products) that depend on raw materials from restricted zones.
• Poultry sector exporters operating in demarcated zones with customers in third countries that recognise EU emergency measures.
• Logistics operators and carriers moving poultry, eggs or derived products within or outside the affected zones.
• National authorities of the affected Member States, obliged to implement the restrictions without delay.

Practical example

An egg production company with facilities in a zone that has been included in the updated annex as a protection zone faces the following situation from 13 March 2026:

• It cannot move eggs outside the zone without going through the reinforced controls established by the competent national authority.
• If it has supply contracts with distributors outside the zone, those shipments are subject to obtaining the corresponding authorisations, which may cause delays or contractual breaches.
• If it exports to third countries that recognise EU emergency measures as a sanitary reference, those destinations may temporarily suspend imports from its zone until the restriction is lifted.
• National authorities may order additional controls at the holding and, if the outbreak is confirmed, even a preventive culling of the birds.

This scenario does not require the company to have detected any HPAI case on its premises: it is sufficient for its location to fall within the perimeter demarcated in the updated annex.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify whether the holding or facility falls within a demarcated zone. Consult the updated annex to Implementing Decision 2023/2447, as amended by Decision 2026/676, and cross-check with the competent national veterinary authority.
2. Review supply and distribution contracts. Identify which deliveries may be affected by movement restrictions and communicate the situation to customers and suppliers as early as possible.
3. Contact the competent national authority. Obtain information on the authorisation procedures for movements of poultry, eggs and derived products within and outside the zone, and the documentation requirements.
4. Alert the export department or international commercial agent. Inform customers in third countries of the situation and verify whether their destination markets apply import restrictions based on EU emergency measures.
5. Activate the reinforced biosecurity protocol. Even if the holding has not detected any cases, demarcated zones require additional controls that must be documented in the event of a possible inspection.
6. Monitor updates to the annex. Protection and surveillance zones may be expanded, reduced or lifted depending on the evolution of outbreaks. Monitoring the Official Journal of the EU and communications from the national authority is essential to adapt operations accordingly.

Official source

View full regulation at the 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=OJ:L_202600676