France lifts outdoor poultry ban as bird flu cases decline

FRANCE – The government of France has lifted restrictions on outdoor poultry farming following a significant decline in bird flu cases, marking a major step forward in the country’s fight against avian influenza. 

The decision follows the success of a nationwide vaccination campaign launched in 2023, which targeted farm ducks, particularly susceptible to the virus.

French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard announced the decision, crediting the large-scale vaccination effort for helping France regain its bird flu-free status. 

With the risk level now classified as moderate, authorities have allowed ducks and other poultry to return to outdoor farming conditions. 

This marks a pivotal moment for the poultry industry, which has been heavily impacted by previous outbreaks that led to the culling of millions of birds.

France became the first major poultry-exporting nation to implement a widespread vaccination program to curb the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). 

The virus had severely disrupted the global poultry market, leading to production losses and trade restrictions imposed by importing countries wary of potential contamination.

The decision to lift restrictions has been met with relief from French poultry farmers, who have seen production levels rebound thanks to the vaccination campaign. 

Industry representatives say the move will help maintain the country’s poultry supply and reinforce confidence in vaccination as a viable method of disease control.

However, some trade partners remain cautious, with a few countries maintaining import restrictions on French poultry products despite the nation’s improved health status. 

Meanwhile, the United States is considering a similar vaccination strategy as it faces rising egg prices and bird flu transmission to dairy cattle and farm workers.

Bird flu’s expanding reach

While France celebrates progress in controlling avian influenza, the disease poses global challenges. In the United Kingdom, the first-ever case of bird flu in a sheep was recently confirmed in Yorkshire. 

The infection was discovered during routine testing on a farm where the virus had previously been detected in poultry.

Officials confirmed that the affected animal was culled as a precaution, and no other sheep in the flock tested positive.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss reassured farmers that strict biosecurity measures have been implemented to prevent further spread. However, she urged continued vigilance, emphasising the importance of early detection and hygiene protocols.

Avian influenza, once considered a disease primarily affecting birds, has increasingly been found in mammals, including foxes, otters, pigs, cattle, and sheep. 

This growing list of affected species has raised concerns among scientists and public health officials worldwide. In response, researchers are intensifying efforts to develop vaccines that could help mitigate the disease’s impact across species.

Bird flu outbreaks have significantly disrupted the global poultry industry, leading to the culling of hundreds of millions of birds in Europe and North America. 

In the UK alone, 1.78 million farmed and captive birds were culled between November 2024 and February 2025. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 168 million birds have been affected by the virus since January 2022.

Authorities worldwide remain on high alert, with increased biosecurity measures to prevent further transmission. 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently warned about the potential for the virus to spread to humans, prompting further research into effective containment strategies.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.