The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) has ordered, as of today, Thursday, the confinement of all poultry farms that raise their birds outdoors in Spain for the prevention and control of the spread of avian influenza. This new decision extends the confinement of poultry to the whole country, which since last Monday had already affected some 1,200 Spanish municipalities located in areas considered to be at special risk and under surveillance. The confinement measures are intended to prevent contact between poultry and migratory birds that may be carriers of the virus.
According to the Ministry, this is a reinforcement of preventive measures against avian influenza, given the increased risk of spread of this highly infectious disease. In an order published on Thursday in the Official State Gazette (BOE), effective as of today, the government has established the confinement of free-range poultry farms using any of the existing breeding methods, including organic farms and those for self-consumption or those producing eggs or meat for direct sale to the end consumer.
This means that the outdoor rearing and keeping of poultry and other captive birds is prohibited, although where this is not possible, the authorities may authorise the keeping of poultry outdoors under a number of conditions. When it is not possible to confine the farm, the authorities may authorise the installation of bird netting or any other device that prevents the entry of migratory birds, provided that the birds are fed inside the facilities or in a shelter that prevents the arrival of wild birds and their contact with food or water intended for poultry.
In addition, it is prohibited to raise ducks and geese with other species of poultry; to give poultry water from water reservoirs that are accessible to migratory birds, unless the water is treated; and to have poultry or captive birds in animal gathering centres such as livestock shows, exhibitions and cultural celebrations. However, the competent authorities of the autonomous communities and cities may authorise such gatherings provided that the birds come from the city or region itself and a favourable risk assessment is carried out.
These measures, adopted as a precautionary measure, must be adopted without prejudice to others that have been approved by the communities and cities of Ceuta and Melilla since 10 November, within the framework of the MAPA’s declaration of a high epidemiological risk situation. To date, 14 outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported in poultry, 5 in captive birds and 68 in wild birds, all of which belong to the H5N1 subtype, according to the Ministry.
In addition, over the last four weeks there has been a ‘significant’ increase in the number of outbreaks in poultry and wild birds reported in central and northern European countries, territories from which large numbers of migratory birds travel to Spain with the approaching arrival of winter. The Ministry has considered that there is a ‘clear risk of contagion’ from wild birds to farms where breeding is carried out in the open air, and has therefore adopted the confinement of poultry as a precautionary measure.
The confinement of birds does not apply in the Balearics, due to the exceptional nature and characteristics of the territory. Thus, the measures applied since last Monday remain in place, including, among others, the prohibition of free-range poultry farming, although animals may be kept outdoors if food and water are provided in protected areas and any contact with wild birds is avoided.
These measures affect poultry farms located in areas of special risk or surveillance, which in the Balearics are Santa Margalida, Muro, sa Pobla, Pollensa and Alcudia (special risk) and in Felanitx, Campos, Formentera, Ibiza, Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Santa Eulària des Riu, Maó, Es Mercadal and Ses Salines (specific surveillance). It cannot be ruled out that this measure – together with the ban on markets with birds from several municipalities and livestock competitions – may be extended to all municipalities on the islands.