Confinement for poultry ended in The Netherlands

The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture allows poultry farmers to no longer keep their flocks in confinement inside. As of April 29, organic flocks are allowed to be kept in the open again.  The step to keep poultry inside, was taken because of the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This disease was present in various EU countries, where it had affected various commercial flocks. As there was a fair chance that wild birds would transmit HPAI to flocks in The Netherlands, the measure to keeping poultry inside was taken on February 12 the by the Ministry of Agriculture. The last outbreak was on March 31 in Germany. Since the spring weather conditions are limiting the virus to survive, poultry can now be kept outside again.