Overview
- The agriculture ministry imposed an immediate nationwide housing and shielding requirement for poultry, covering commercial farms and hobby keepers, and it canceled exhibition exemptions for risk birds.
- The Expert Group on Animal Diseases reassessed the threat this week to moderate from low-to-moderate, triggering the new restrictions.
- After last week’s detection at a farm in Gasselternijveenschemond, the NVWA culled about 71,000 chickens and a 10‑kilometer transport ban remains around the site.
- The order covers all commercially kept birds, and a shielding duty also applies to holders of risk species such as poultry, waterfowl and ratites, as well as certain game and ornamental birds.
- Authorities describe the rule as a heavy measure and pledge close monitoring, while sector groups LTO and the Dutch Poultry Farmers’ Union publicly support the decision.