Overview
- Catalonia’s agriculture department says all poultry operations and autoconsumption holdings within the 3‑kilometer protection zone tested negative, indicating a contained situation so far.
- Authorities have begun the mandatory cull of the affected laying‑hen flock, with reports indicating about 230,000 birds will be sacrificed under animal‑health rules.
- Movement restrictions are in force within a 10‑kilometer radius, and veterinary teams will sample farms in the 3‑to‑10‑kilometer band over the weekend.
- The detection announced on December 24 remains pending formal confirmation by Spain’s national reference laboratory through the Ministry of Agriculture.
- Officials reiterate that poultry meat and eggs remain safe for consumption, while farm groups warn the cull could tighten local supply and lift prices as Spain manages roughly 14 active foci this year and millions of birds culled.