20:04 - 14.07.2026

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July 14, Fineko/abc.az. Outbreaks of bird flu and Newcastle disease could strip Poland of its status as the largest poultry meat producer in the European Union. In the first six months of 2026, the country registered 139 outbreaks of bird flu, resulting in the culling of 9 million birds, and by July 11, the number of outbreaks had risen to 143.

According to reports, weak biosecurity measures on many small-scale farms are cited as the primary cause of the spread. By comparison, Germany identified 39 outbreaks, while the Netherlands recorded 18 during the first half of the year.

Poland established itself as the leader of the EU poultry sector after joining the European Union: currently, one in five chickens in the EU is raised in the country, and the industry provides employment for approximately 100,000 people.