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Basque Country Adapts Spain’s Poultry Lockdown, Allowing Brief Biosecure Outdoor Time

The policy prioritizes welfare and production by allowing supervised exercise under barriers that block contact with wild birds.

Overview

  • After Spain expanded mandatory confinement for all poultry last week, Euskadi set region-specific guidance that permits short outdoor periods under strict controls.
  • A monitoring commission of the Basque Government, the three provincial councils and sector representatives agreed the extraordinary measures on Monday.
  • Outdoor access is conditional on preventing contact with wild birds, including the use of bird‑netting enclosures known locally as pajareras.
  • Officials say the approach aims to reduce stress and avoid production losses, particularly for farms accustomed to free‑range systems.
  • No avian influenza cases have been detected in Basque commercial flocks to date, though regional minister Amaia Barredo warns the risk level remains elevated.