News item | 24-11-2025 | 11:01
In Holwierde (municipality of Eemsdelta, province of Groningen), bird flu has been detected on a broiler farm. To prevent the spread of the virus, the approximately 48,000 broiler chickens at the location are being culled by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).
A protection zone of 3 kilometers and a surveillance zone of 10 kilometers will be established around the contaminated location. There are no other poultry farms in the 1-kilometer zone, 3 poultry farms in the 3-kilometer zone and 11 poultry farms in the 10-kilometer zone.
The companies in the 3-kilometer zone will be screened by the NVWA in accordance with current policy.
Part of the 10-kilometer zone is located in Germany. The German authorities will be informed about this.
Transport ban
A transport ban applies immediately for the entire restriction zone of 10 kilometers around the contaminated location. This means that no birds, hatching eggs and/or eggs for consumption may be transported from locations with birds in this zone. There is also a ban on the disposal of bird manure and used litter. Animals other than birds and their products may be transported to and from locations with birds, provided this is done in accordance with the regulations strict conditions of the hygiene protocol.
These measures are necessary to prevent the spread of the virus. Where the restricted zone is located can be seen on the animal disease viewer of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
National measures
Since October 16, 2025, there has been a national cage and shielding obligation in the Netherlands. The cage requirement applies to all commercially kept birds. The shielding obligation applies to non-commercially kept risk birds (for example chickens kept as a hobby).
Traceability research
The NVWA carries out tracing research into risky contacts. This investigates whether products or poultry were transported to and from this location in the period prior to the report. If necessary, additional measures will be taken, such as additional sampling or blocking a risky contact company. These measures will be reported via an update to this press release and via the online channels of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN).