News item | 25-11-2025 | 18:21
Bird flu has been diagnosed in North Rhine-Westphalia, Kreis Kleve, in Goch, just across the border in Germany. The German authorities have established a protection and surveillance zone that is partly located in the Netherlands, in the province of Limburg. A few days ago, on November 18, a surveillance zone was also established in this area by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) due to a previous outbreak of bird flu in Goch.
Transport ban
The restriction zone set up due to the bird flu outbreak in Germany partly falls in the Netherlands. There are no poultry farms in the Dutch part of the 10 km zone. A transport ban applies immediately within the 10-kilometer area. This means that no poultry, breeding or consumption eggs may be transported from locations with birds in this zone. There is also a ban on the disposal of bird manure and used litter, and on other animals and animal products from farms with birds. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country. Where exactly the restricted zone is 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).
Tracing investigation
Following this contamination, Germany will conduct a tracing investigation into the source of contamination and possible risky contacts.