The cage requirement applies to all commercially kept birds, including poultry. There is also a shielding obligation for hobby birds that pose a risk. For example, they must be kept in aviaries so that they do not come into contact with potentially sick wild birds.
The Netherlands has been struggling with outbreaks of bird flu for years. “In recent years it has become apparent that the course of the bird flu epidemic is unpredictable,” the Ministry of Agriculture said. According to the department, the latest outbreak “fits that unpredictable pattern.” The virus is still circulating among wild birds, which means that poultry farms can easily become infected again.
Most measures against bird flu have been lifted in our country since the beginning of June. Two years ago, a period of increased risk was declared, which entailed “strict additional measures”. But for more than five months now, professional poultry farmers and registered hobby keepers are no longer obliged to keep their birds caged (there was no cage requirement for private keepers). The animals must still be fed indoors or shielded.