Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 13, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleSpain has ordered a nationwide poultry lockdown to prevent bird flu spread, affecting all farms and banning certain practices.
MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's Agriculture Ministry ordered on Thursday to immediately lock down all poultry due to the risk of bird flu, it said in a statement.
The decision expands on measures announced last week, when Spain ordered poultry in designated high-risk areas to be kept indoors to curb the spread of bird flu.
It follows a rise in bird flu outbreaks across Europe, with 139 cases reported since July, and 14 in Spain, half of them in the Castille and Leon region.
"The measure has been taken following an increased risk of the disease entering Spain in the last week," the ministry said in a statement.
The new order extends to all farms, including organic and small-scale producers, to prevent contact with migratory birds that could spread the virus. It also bans keeping ducks and geese with other poultry, using untreated surface water, and holding bird fairs or exhibitions.
(Reporting by Emma Pinedo and Jesus Calero, editing by Andrei Khalip)
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral infection that primarily affects birds but can infect humans and other animals. It can cause severe illness and has various strains, some of which can be deadly.
Preventive measures in agriculture are strategies implemented to protect crops and livestock from diseases and pests. These can include biosecurity protocols, vaccination, and controlled environments to minimize exposure to harmful agents.
A lockdown in agriculture refers to restrictions placed on the movement of animals and products to prevent the spread of diseases. This can include keeping livestock indoors and halting sales or exhibitions.
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