France lowers bird flu alert to lowest level, easing nationwide poultry restrictions

FRANCE – France has lowered its avian influenza risk classification and ended compulsory poultry housing requirements after a prolonged reduction in reported infections.

Authorities say the decision reflects seasonal improvement and reduced detections in both farms and wild birds.

On June 3, 2026, the government of France reduced its highly pathogenic avian influenza risk level from moderate to negligible, with the change taking effect on June 4 and ending mandatory indoor confinement for poultry nationwide.

The removal of the previous measures means poultry farmers are no longer required to keep flocks indoors nationwide, ending restrictions intended to limit contact with wild birds that can carry the virus.

France has faced repeated outbreaks of avian influenza in recent years, with infections typically increasing during the colder months, when migratory bird activity rises, and easing during warmer periods.

A steady drop in confirmed cases across commercial farms and wild bird populations, combined with vaccination efforts in ducks and strengthened biosecurity protocols, preceded the downgrade, following earlier alerts raised amid heightened detections in October 2025.

Impact on poultry farming

The policy shift restores more normal production conditions for poultry operators, reducing costs linked to housing requirements and supporting outdoor farming practices that had been limited under the previous risk level.

While the national mandate has been lifted, regional authorities retain the authority to impose localised restrictions if new outbreaks occur in specific areas.

The easing is expected to reduce operational pressure on producers while maintaining surveillance measures to manage any renewed spread of the virus and support rapid containment if clusters reappear in high-risk zones.

Health and surveillance context

Although the risk of human infection remains low, avian influenza continues to be treated as a zoonotic threat, with monitoring conducted by the World Organisation for Animal Health, the European Food Safety Authority, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The virus remains established in wild bird populations worldwide, meaning sporadic outbreaks in domestic poultry remain a recurring risk despite seasonal improvements and continue to be monitored across continents through coordinated veterinary reporting systems to detect early signs of resurgence in domestic herds.

The adjustment aligns with broader European patterns of declining detections during spring and summer, although authorities continue to advise strict biosecurity ahead of future migration periods, while industry stakeholders and veterinary agencies prepare for potential seasonal rebounds in cases driven by migratory bird movements and changing climate conditions.

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