The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has ordered confinement in all free-range poultry farms with the aim of preventing and controlling the spread of avian flu, according to an order published in the Official State Gazette (BOE).
The restriction, which comes into effect this Thursday, affects all outdoor poultry farms in any of the existing breeding methodsincluding farms ecological and those of self-consumption, as well as those that produce eggs or meat for direct sale to the final consumer.
“During the last four weeks, the number of outbreaks in poultry and wild birds reported in the countries of central and northern Europe has increased significantly, territories from which a large number of migratory birds move towards Spain with the approaching arrival of winter. Within this framework, there is a clear risk of contagion,” the Ministry justified in the statement of reasons.
In this way, the outdoor breeding and keeping of poultry and other captive birds is prohibited, although when it is not possible the authorities may authorize the maintenance of free-range poultry under a series of conditions.
