New obligations for poultry farmers: Bioinsurance and vaccination from 13 May

Newcastle disease, besides known as Newcastle disease, is present 1 of the biggest threats to the Polish poultry sector. New provisions, which has just entered into force, impose on breeders a number of obligations relating to bioinsurance and from May 13, 2025 will be introduced compulsory vaccination of chickens and turkeys on commercial holdings.

Newcastle illness – a serious threat to Polish production

The Newcastle illness is highly contagious viral diseasewhich no treatment and leads to very advanced mortality among infected birds — up to 100%. According to the current legislation, the detection of an outbreak means the request to kill the full stock and disinfection of premises and equipment.

Due to the expanding hazard of disease, Ministry of Agriculture introduced a number of preventive measures. The fresh rules aim to defend not only animal wellness but besides the full sector of the economy with strategical export importance.

Mandatory vaccination of chickens and turkeys

The most crucial change that will come into force 13 May, is compulsory vaccination of chickens and turkeys against Newcastle illness in:

• commercial holdings,
• hatcheries.

The introduction of this work responds to an increased epidemiological hazard and is crucial in preventing further spread of the disease.

Reinforced bioinsurance: What must the breeder do?

In parallel to compulsory vaccination, the fresh rules require commercial holdings to apply bio-insurance measures. Among them are:

• Disposable mats or mats before entering livestock buildings and entering holdings.
• Documentation the usage of disinfectants, disinfection, destruction and taking note of the alleged poultry mortality (i.e. cases of bird deaths).
• Register of means of transport entering the holding — this applies to vehicles carrying birds, eggs, feed or animal by-products.
• Containers or separate rooms to keep dead poultry.
• Availability of disinfectants for current usage on the holding.

These measures aim to reduce the hazard of external transmission of infectious diseases and to facilitate the recognition and elimination of possible sources of infection.

Avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease: current situation

Ministry of Agriculture besides reported that in Poland no fresh outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been detected. Last case reported 25 April on a holding in Kalisz region where more than 23 1000 chickens for fattening. Since the beginning of the year over 7.38 million poultry were included in the virusand the illness was besides detected in 97 chaotic birds.

It is besides worth noting that Poland remains a foot-and-mouth disease-free country, which is essential for exports and maintenance of sanitary and veterinary status.

The importance of change for the sector and prospects

The fresh bio-insurance requirements and the vaccination work are the request to comply with biosecurity standards, which can reduce losses in the poultry sector in the long term.

Experts stress that the effective fight against infectious diseases in poultry farming is based on a combination of administrative, veterinary prevention and breeder discipline. For many farms, this besides means investment, but ignoring these guidelines can lead to serious economical and legal consequences.

In the coming weeks, increased surveillance of veterinary inspections can be expected to enforce implementation on the ground.