EUROPEAN POULTRY: Avian Flu Threat Declines to “Negligible” as Italy Initiates HPAI Vaccine Trials

PADUA, ITALY — Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) risks across Europe have dropped to “negligible” levels as the summer season sets in. Veterinary services report that commercial outbreaks are tapering off significantly, with only Poland and France reporting active commercial H5N1 cases between late May and early June. In response to the fading threat, the UK government has officially lifted all special Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) mandatory housing measures across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Italy Deploys Frontier Pilot Vaccination Strategy

To proactively protect the sector from devastating autumn migratory waves, the Italian National Reference Laboratory (IZSVe) has launched a pioneering HPAI pilot vaccination trial.

Authorized European Union vaccines specifically targeting the H5 virus group are being deployed across highly vulnerable commercial poultry hubs in the Lombardy and Veneto regions. The strategic trial focuses directly on two high-risk segments:

• Commercial Meat Turkeys: Historically the most susceptible to high mortality rates during regional flare-ups.

• Industrial Layer Chickens: Targeted to protect long-term egg production chains and preserve domestic flock capital.

Economic Outlook: Exports Projected to Rise 2%

Driven by stabilizing energy prices and a steady decline in global feed crop costs, the European poultry sector is shifting from defensive biosecurity tactics back to market growth.

The USDA’s latest poultry market review projects EU chicken meat exports to expand by 2% overall. This economic recovery is heavily supported by strong domestic margins for white meat and a coordinated commercial push to win back vital market share and export volumes across sub-Saharan Africa.