News item | 28-05-2025 | 17:03
The obligation to withdraw and shield for poultry is immediately withdrawn for almost the whole of the Netherlands, as Minister Femke Marije Wiersma of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) has decided. For the time being, the upset obligation for commercially kept birds will remain in force in the Gelderse Vallei, due to the poultry density in this region. In that region, the obligation to protrude still applies to holders with more than 250 pheasants, running birds or decorative water birds. In addition, the obligation to withdraw and shield will continue to apply within 10 kilometers from Oldenzaal, due to the outbreak of Newcastle Disease.
Femke Marije Wiersma, Minister of LVVN: “A relief for both the free-range sector and hobby holders: the obligation to withdraw and shield is largely withdrawn and the chickens can go outside again. Although the risk has been reduced, we remain alert and follow the situation closely.”
Risk poultry sector reduced
The minister has decided this partly on the basis of a new risk assessment of the expert group of animal diseases. This regularly meets to assess the bird flu situation based on new information. The number of wild birds with bird flu is decreasing further and further. In Europe, the number of outbreaks at commercial poultry farms has also fallen in recent months. The risk of introducing bird flu on poultry farms is therefore now estimated as low to moderate. Rather, the risk was moderately to high. That is why it was decided to withdraw the obligation and shielding step by step, in line with the approach to previous years.
Alertness remains
Since November 20, 2024, the obligation to withdraw and shielding was in force. With earlier withdrawals we have seen that the situation can change quickly and that bird flu is unpredictable. For that reason, the Ministry of LVVN continues to keep a close eye on the situation. On the basis of the situation and risk assessments, the minister determines whether and when national measures, such as the obligation to withdraw and protrude, can also be relaxed in the Gelderse Valley. New developments, such as outbreaks, can again ask to sharpen measures.