Following a favourable vote by EU Member States on Tuesday 8 July, the European Commission will provide Poland with €14 million to compensate farmers in areas affected by outbreaks of avian flu.
Financed by the agricultural crisis reserve, this support must be paid to farmers by 28 February 2026 at the latest.
Between 9 August 2021 and 3 August 2023, Poland reported 193 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian flu, affecting chickens, laying hens, turkeys, ducks and geese. Protection and surveillance zones have been put in place, along with strict health and veterinary measures.
These has led to losses in production (hatching eggs, eggs for consumption, live animals, poultry meat) and the destruction or downgrading of eggs and meat.
The European Commission has decided to cover 50% of the expenditure incurred by Poland (on the basis of a set compensation amount per animal and egg).
Only farms located in those regulated zones and directly affected by these measures will be eligible to receive this support.
The implementing regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the EU, and is expected to come into force at the beginning of August. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)