News item | 15-12-2025 | 16:39
Bird flu has been detected on a poultry farm near Kleve, state of North Rhine-Westphalia, just across the border in Germany. Germany has established a restricted area that partly falls within the Netherlands. That is why the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) has established a restriction zone around Millingen aan de Rijn and east of Groesbeek. On November 21, 26 and 27, surveillance zones were also established in this area by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) due to previous outbreaks of bird flu in Kleve.
Transport ban
Due to the outbreak close to the Dutch border, part of the 3 kilometer restriction zone and a large part of the 10 kilometer restriction zone falls in the Netherlands. There is one company in the 3-kilometer zone, which will be screened by the NVWA. There are another 7 other poultry farms in the 10-kilometer zone. A transport ban applies immediately within both areas. 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. These measures are necessary to prevent spread to other parts of the country. Animals other than birds and their products may be transported to and from locations with birds, provided this is done in accordance with the strict conditions of the hygiene protocol.
The location of the 3 and 10 kilometer zones can be seen on the animal diseases 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).
Since November 26, 2025, the national ban on visiting bird roosts that are part of an establishment with commercially kept birds has been tightened. Visits to these establishments are only permitted if the visit is necessary for public health, animal health, animal welfare or the health of persons present in the stable.
The national exhibition ban has been tightened since December 3, 2025 to a ban on events (such as: exhibitions, competitions, annual fairs, markets, inspections or other temporary collections) where birds are brought together. This ban applies to risk birds and non-risk birds.
Tracing investigation
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 in this press release and via the online channels of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN).