A 31-page delegated regulation revises disease containment procedures covering avian influenza, after two weeks of failed efforts to contain outbreaks in the east, as well as procedures on a dozen other disease.
The European Commission adopted Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/322 on February 12th, 2026. It amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, which implements the Animal Health Law on preventing and controlling Category A listed diseases, the highest-risk diseases under EU law. They include highly pathogenic avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, and Rift Valley fever.
The regulation addresses gaps exposed by the recent outbreaks across the EU. One key change covers the movement of captive animals of non-listed species held in an establishment where a Category A disease is suspected. Competent authorities can now allow these animals to move to another establishment or go to slaughter, based on a case-by-case risk assessment. Previously, a blanket prohibition applied regardless of the specific risk those animals presented.
Cleaning and disinfection rules receive a thorough revision, as Articles 15 and 16 of Delegated Regulation 2020/687 previously covered only preliminary procedures. The update expands coverage to the full cycle, including final steps. In exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure or prolonged adverse weather, surveillance zone measures may now be lifted before final disinfection completes, provided that specific risk conditions confirm that spread from the affected establishment is insignificant. This prevents businesses in surveillance zones from remaining under restrictions for double the minimum required period due to delays beyond their control.
Additional changes clarify rules on restricted zone adaptation, manure and litter movements from protection and surveillance zones, day-old chick movements from eggs hatched outside restricted zones, and treatment of animal by-products. The regulation updates sampling and laboratory examination provisions to reflect EFSA scientific opinions from 2021 and 2022. These changes are particularly relevant during the current HPAI season across Europe. Competent authorities and farm operators in outbreak-affected regions should review the updated procedures before their next outbreak response.
