Europe harmonizes rules on avian flu vaccination for poultry

Over the past two weeks, the European Commission (EC) has harmonized the rules across the EU on the vaccination of animals against the most devastating diseases. Because of the widespread and significant damage it has caused to the region’s poultry sector, the new rules will apply to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

For this virus, the rules have been fine-tuned to facilitate the movement of poultry and their products from premises and areas where vaccination is carried out, without adding to the risk of further virus transmission.

“In light of the most serious outbreak in recent history in the EU, the fight against avian influenza is at the top of our priorities,” said European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides. “These outbreaks are causing enormous damage to this agricultural sector and hamper trade.” Read more