Avian flu 2026: EU restrictions on poultry sector and what companies must do

• Key data
• Key impact
• What does this regulation establish?
• Economic and operational impact
• Who does it affect?
• Practical example
• What should companies do now?
• Frequently asked questions
• Official source

Key data

European poultry operators working in areas declared as protection or surveillance zones due to high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks have operational restrictions in place since 4 June 2026. The Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1239 modifies the annex of Decision 2023/2447, adapting the restricted zones to the actual evolution of outbreaks. It is not a brand new regulation: it is an update of measures already in force, but with changes in geographical delimitation that may include or exclude companies that were not previously affected.

If your company produces, exports or imports poultry, eggs or derived products in the EU, you must verify whether your location or that of your suppliers falls within the newly delimited zones.

What does this regulation establish?

Decision 2026/1239 modifies the annex of Decision 2023/2447, which is the reference framework for emergency measures against high pathogenicity avian influenza in the EU. The specific change consists of the review of protection and surveillance zones established in certain Member States, adjusting them to the current epidemiological situation.

The two categories of zones that are updated have different implications:

The regulation does not specify in its summary the specific countries affected in this update, but its scope covers certain EU Member States with active HPAI outbreaks on the date of entry into force. Operators must consult the updated annex in the official text to verify whether their territory is included.

Economic and operational impact

The consequences for poultry sector companies are direct and immediate on several fronts:

• Restrictions on movement of goods: Poultry, eggs and derived products from restricted zones cannot circulate freely within or outside such zones without complying with established requirements. This can halt already planned shipments.
• Altered supply chains: Operators who depend on suppliers located in protection or surveillance zones may suffer supply interruptions, with the consequent impact on production and billing.
• Price pressure: The reduction in available supply in the market resulting from restrictions can generate price tensions both upward (for the buyer) and downward (for the producer who cannot sell).
• Biosecurity costs: Operators in affected zones must implement and maintain strict biosecurity protocols, which involves additional costs in equipment, training and procedures.
• Exporter impact: Exporters to third countries may encounter additional barriers if destination countries apply import restrictions on products from zones with active HPAI outbreaks in the EU.

Who does it affect?

• Poultry producers located in protection or surveillance zones declared in the updated annex.
• Exporters of live birds, hatching eggs, table eggs and processed poultry products from restricted zones to other Member States or third countries.
• Importers receiving goods from affected zones within the EU.
• Logistics operators and transporters moving birds or poultry products through or from restricted zones.
• Poultry processing industry (slaughterhouses, processing plants) that depend on supply of birds from affected zones.
• Distributors and food chains with suppliers in protection or surveillance zones.

Practical example

A poultry producer with facilities in an area that becomes declared a protection zone as of 4 June 2026 faces the following concrete situation:

• Batches of poultry that were prepared for shipment to customers in other Member States are blocked until express authorization is obtained from the competent authority.
• Must immediately activate the enhanced biosecurity protocols required by the regulation: access control, vehicle disinfection, movement recording and notification to authorities.
• If it has ongoing supply contracts, it must communicate to its customers the force majeure situation resulting from the regulatory restriction to avoid contractual penalties.
• An exporter that had scheduled an egg shipment to a third country from that same zone must verify whether the destination country applies additional restrictions on goods from zones declared HPAI in the EU, which could completely block the export.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if the company is in an affected zone: Consult the updated annex of Decision 2026/1239 in the EU Official Journal to check whether the location of facilities or suppliers falls within a protection or surveillance zone.
2. Review supply and distribution contracts: Identify which current contracts may be affected by movement restrictions and activate force majeure clauses if applicable.
3. Activate required biosecurity protocols: Implement or strengthen the biosecurity measures required for operators in restricted zones: access control, disinfection, movement recording and communication to authorities.
4. Communicate to customers and suppliers: Proactively inform the supply chain about possible interruptions or delays resulting from restrictions, with the corresponding regulatory reference.
5. Verify restrictions in export destination countries: If exporting to third countries, check whether they apply additional measures on products from zones declared HPAI in the EU.
6. Maintain tracking of updates: The regulation adapts to epidemiological evolution, so zones may change. Establish an alert system to detect new modifications to the annex.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: 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_202601239