State Secretary Silvio Erkens imposed an immediate nationwide housing and shielding requirement for poultry after avian influenza was detected at three locations in recent days: poultry farms in Lutjegast and Grootegast in Groningen and a care farm in Middelie, North Holland. The measure applies to commercial and hobby keepers; birds must be kept indoors or otherwise protected from possible contact with infected wild birds.

At the Grootegast farm, 51,000 laying hens were culled. Around the Middelie holding, about 150 chickens were culled, according to a single report. A 10-kilometre transport restriction applies around the Grootegast farm for poultry, poultry meat and eggs. Poultry farmers may not receive visitors in poultry houses or sheds, except veterinarians and inspectors, and a ban on exhibitions of susceptible ornamental birds was already in force.