# Erkens orders all poultry to be kept indoors or shielded nationwide

> Bird and poultry owners across the country must now keep their birds inside or shielded after three bird flu outbreaks were confirmed in a short time, the food safety authority NVWA reports.

Society · published 2026-10-29 08:27 · https://nlnow.nl/a/all-poultry-in-the-netherlands-must-be-kept-indoors-after-bird-flu/

State Secretary Erkens of the agriculture ministry (LVVN) has introduced a nationwide requirement to keep poultry and other captive birds indoors or shielded (ophok- en afschermplicht). It follows three confirmed bird flu outbreaks in a short time.

Erkens said the risk of new infections is serious. She decided on the measure to prevent as much suffering among animals and businesses as possible. “I realise that keepers of poultry with outdoor runs and hobby keepers are hit hardest,” she said. “Even so, it is important to limit contact between kept birds and possibly infected wild birds as much as possible.”

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