Drastic measures: Cloppenburg forces poultry into the stable!

Drastic measures: Cloppenburg forces poultry into the stable!

In the Cloppenburg district, a comprehensive housing requirement for all poultry stocks will come into force from Tuesday, October 28, 2025. This decision was made by the responsible authorities as part of a general animal health order to protect the poultry population from highly pathogenic avian influenza. All farms with more than 50 animals are affected, including chickens, turkeys and ducks. [Nordnews] reports that the enclosures of all poultry species must be kept in closed stalls or under special protective devices to avoid contact with wild birds.

The background information is alarming: According to the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), the risk of introducing the virus is considered to be particularly high because the district is an important wild bird migration area. The ability of wild birds to frequent rivers, lakes and wetlands in the county provides them with ideal resting places. In addition, harvested corn fields are available to wild birds as a source of food.

Virus situation in Germany

The situation regarding avian influenza must be taken seriously. In January 2024, nine cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAIV) H5 were registered in domestic poultry in Germany alone, including laying hens and turkey fattening farms. There were also 31 reported cases of wild birds in the same period, especially barnacle geese in the Wadden Sea. Particular focus is on the H5N1 subtype, which was confirmed in all cases, apart from an isolated case of another subtype on Helgoland. [FLI] highlights that several new genotypes of the virus have been identified since November 2023, further complicating the situation.

Since transmission between wild birds and kept animals is a constant threat, the responsible authority takes appropriate prevention and control measures when virus outbreaks are suspected. One such measure is the isolation of the animals kept, which is intended to significantly reduce contact with wild birds.

Importance of the measures

The upcoming installation is an essential step towards protecting regional poultry populations, which are very high in Cloppenburg and the surrounding area. With numerous businesses and hobby owners, preventive measures must be implemented urgently to avoid major damage caused by the disease. The protective measures that will come into force tomorrow are not only a response to the current virus situation, but also a long-term strategy to maintain the health of poultry stocks in the district.

In addition, the authority is also expected to observe and strictly adhere to the new regulations so that the economic stability of poultry producers in the region is not jeopardized. After all, Cloppenburg is not only a wild bird migration area, but also a center for the poultry industry that must be protected by all means possible.