Bird flu is on the way: mandatory stables are required in MV!

Bird flu is on the way: mandatory stables are required in MV!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania there is currently an explosive discussion about the obligation to keep poultry in stables. The region's poultry industry association celebrated its 35th anniversary on October 29, 2025 and noted that protection against avian influenza (H5N1) was a key issue. On this occasion, calls were made for compulsory stables across the board and the development of a vaccine against the animal disease. Over 500,000 chickens, ducks and geese have already had to be killed for safety reasons, 211,000 of which come from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania alone, reports NDR.

Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) was present as a guest speaker and supported the calls for compulsory stables, which have already been decided in other federal states such as Saarland and Hamburg. The regulation comes into force in Saarland on October 30th, followed by Hamburg on October 31st. Meanwhile, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the districts decide on mandatory stables. The Vorpommern-Greifswald district has already ordered stables to be compulsory for larger farms with 5,000 or more animals.

Background of the discussion

Bird flu is spreading not only in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, but also in other parts of Germany. Nationwide, 35 bird flu outbreaks have been recorded in commercial poultry farms since the beginning of September. The federal states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are particularly affected. Numerous chickens and geese have already had to be killed this autumn, with around 150,000 laying hens in Western Pomerania being eliminated because of bird flu.

The spread of the disease is alarming. In Germany, tens of thousands of farm animals and many wild birds, including thousands of cranes, were killed. In Brandenburg, for example, around 155,000 animals were culled. This is a severe financial loss for the poultry industry, and many businesses will face existential challenges if the situation does not improve. The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry is therefore calling for a nationwide “housing requirement” in order to better protect the animals.

Health concerns

Experts agree that the virus jumping from animals to humans is a rarity. Nevertheless, the risk of further outbreaks was classified as “high” by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, which makes the current measures regarding stable stables all the more urgent. Although there are currently no known cases of H5N1 in humans in Germany, there are potential risks from close contact with infected birds.

Backhaus also recommends that individual districts carry out an individual risk assessment in order to take appropriate measures for the respective region. While there is still a lack of uniform regulations for vaccination against bird flu in Germany, there are already special vaccines that are used there in France.

The situation is dynamic, with new reports and challenges for the poultry industry every day. While authorities are doing everything they can to stop the spread of the disease, the poultry farming industry remains challenged to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Dealing with bird flu early and preventively will be crucial to secure animal husbandry in the region.

Further information about the current situation regarding bird flu in Germany can be found in the reports from NDR, daily news and ZDF be read.