The Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has decided end the preventive confinement of all poultry In Spain, after several months of restrictions due to avian flu, the measure, which applies to the entire country, marks a change in the management of the disease after observing a clearly favorable health trend.
The ministerial order, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and in force since April 16This marks the end of the restrictions that were still in place in wetlands and municipalities classified as high-risk. From now on, poultry farms can resume operations without the obligation to keep the birds confined, although the sector must continue to exercise extreme vigilance and biosecurity measures.
End of poultry confinement throughout Spain
With this new order, the Ministry concludes the mandatory lockdown that affected the outdoor-raised poultryThis measure, which was implemented across the board in November 2025 to minimize the risk of avian influenza transmission, has been lifted this Thursday, applying to both intensive and outdoor farming systems.
The decision comes after it had already been approved in April. a partial lifting of the lockdown in most of the countryThe restrictions will remain in place only in municipalities considered to be at special risk and under close surveillance, closely linked to the presence of wetlandsThat map covered 1.201 locations spread across all the autonomous communities, including Ceuta and Melilla.
Now, the relaxation becomes total: The obligation to keep birds confined in farms disappears The ban on holding gatherings of poultry, such as fairs, competitions, or certain livestock events, has been lifted. This is the final step in a phased reopening that the Ministry has been adjusting according to the evolution of the disease.
The order that outlines these measures originates from the Order APA/1288/2025, of November 11which established the package of preventative measures for the entire national territory. This legal framework has served as a reference point since the beginning of the avian flu crisis to adjust restrictions according to the estimated level of risk.
Health reasons: favorable evolution and few outbreaks on farms
The key element that has led the Ministry to modify its strategy is the clear improvement in the epidemiological situation of avian flu in SpainIn recent weeks, it has been observed that absence of new cases in wild birds and a downward trend in risk, reinforced by the forecast of rising temperatures, which makes it more difficult for the virus to survive in the environment.
Since the reinforcement measures came into effect last November, only two chicken farms in the province of Lleida have been affected by the disease, with outbreaks detected in December 2025 and January 2026. This data contrasts with the high number of cases that have been identified in wild birds, which, according to the Ministry, highlights the effectiveness of the preventive restrictions.
In total, since July 1, 2025, the following have been recorded in Spain 16 outbreaks of avian flu on production farmsThe most recent case was recorded on January 13th in the same province of Lleida. Despite this figure, the impact on the poultry sector has been relatively limited compared to the estimated risk level posed by the virus's presence in wild animals in Europe.
The Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that the measures adopted, especially the preventative closure of free-range poultry farms and the restriction of movement, have been decisive for to prevent a wider spread of avian influenza in commercial farms. Weekly monitoring of the virus's evolution in the territory has allowed for adjusting the level of protection needed at any given time without major disruptions.
In this context, the combination of a very limited incidence on farmsThe absence of new recent outbreaks and more favorable weather conditions has led the Ministry to consider that the current risk allows for the lifting of the lockdown without compromising animal health.
Biosecurity measures that remain in effect on farms
Although the obligation to keep birds confined has been eliminated, the Ministry insists that Biosecurity remains the main barrier against new outbreaks.Poultry farms must continue to apply strict protocols to minimize contact between domestic birds and wildlife, especially in areas with a regular presence of migratory birds.
Among the recommendations being conveyed to the sector are the rigorous cleaning and disinfection of the facilities, the control of access to farms, the protection of feed and water against possible external contamination and the proper management of carcasses and by-productsIt is also emphasized that staff must maintain proper hygiene practices and wear specific clothing within the facilities.
The Ministry also points out that the passive surveillance both on farms and in wildlife. Livestock farmers and farm managers are asked to promptly notify official veterinary services of any suspected illness, especially if an unexpected increase in mortality or clinical signs consistent with avian influenza are detected in domestic birds.
Authorities stress that lifting the lockdown does not imply a "anything goes" approach, but rather a phase change based on... managing a risk that still exists but at lower levelsTherefore, the use of technical tools for evaluation continuously monitor the probability of the virus entering and circulating in the environment, which will allow us to react again if the situation requires it.
Sector organizations such as egg producer associations and the interprofessional organization for eggs and egg products have highlighted that, with this decision, It returns to normal in outdoor farming systemsespecially in free-range and organic hens, although they remind their members that they must not lower their guard regarding health matters.
International health status and trade in birds and poultry products
In trade terms, Spain has maintained since February 2026 the official status of avian influenza-free country Awarded by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). This recognition is key for exports, as it certifies to other countries that, for foreign trade purposes, the animal health situation is under control.
Thanks to this status, currently There are no restrictions on the movement of birds and poultry products in the national market or within the European Union. Intra-community trade can proceed as normal, provided that the health and animal welfare conditions required by European regulations are respected.
The Ministry emphasizes that the decision to maintain the status of a free country has been possible, precisely, because of the speed with which the preventive measures were implemented in November 2025 and due to the low number of outbreaks on farms recorded since then. This balance between health control and maintenance of economic activity has been one of the cornerstones of Spain's strategy against avian flu.
In communities with a strong presence of the sector, like Andalusia or CataloniaThe evolution of the restrictions had been closely monitored. The complete lifting of the lockdown now allows fully restore outdoor production systemsThis is a relevant issue for certain market niches, such as free-range or organic eggs and some differentiated poultry meat productions.
However, the authorities insist that the current positive situation should not create a false sense of security: any change in the circulation of the virus in wild birds or in neighboring countries This could force a review of the measures again, so coordination between administrations, veterinary services and the production sector will remain essential.
What the lifting of the lockdown means for the sector and the population
For livestock farmers, the removal of restrictions means, above all, to be able to resume managing farms according to the planned breeding systemsIn free-range and organic farms, where the entire farm design is based on the birds' access to the outdoors, the lockdown had forced a temporary adaptation of management, with the consequent impact on animal welfare and work organization.
Associations of egg and egg product producers have received the news with a mixture of relief and prudenceOn the one hand, there is greater peace of mind and production is facilitated; on the other, everyone agrees that biosecurity will continue to be a central element in the daily management of farms. They also emphasize that the return to normality helps stabilize the supply of free-range and organic eggs in the market.
With regard to consumers, the Ministry reiterates that The avian flu virus is not transmitted to humans through properly cooked poultry, eggs, or processed products. derived from them. In other words, lifting the lockdown does not change existing food security guarantees, which remain intact.
Even so, the authorities recommend Avoid unnecessary contact with birds showing clinical symptoms or that they appear dead in the field. In such cases, it is advisable to inform the relevant authorities instead of handling the animals, as part of the strategy for surveillance and early detection of possible new outbreaks.
Overall, the decision to end the confinement of poultry comes after months of close monitoring of the situation and is based on Favorable epidemiological data, a very limited incidence in farms and the international recognition of Spain as a country free of avian influenzaThe poultry sector is thus returning to operations closer to normal, but with the constant reminder that biosecurity and surveillance will continue to be key aspects of daily life to keep the risk of future outbreaks under control.
