Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001906/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tobiasz Bocheński (ECR)
The Commission is planning to impose restrictions on poultry farming in the Polish regions of Wielkopolska, Mazowsze, Warmia and Mazury in response to outbreaks of avian influenza (HPAI virus). The Commission wants to ban farmers in the aforementioned regions from placing new chicks until at least 30 days after the last HPAI outbreak has ended. As a result, the industry would face months of stagnation and the loss of markets and international customers. Meanwhile, agreements are being negotiated with Mercosur and Ukraine that will lead to Polish poultry meat on the EU market being pushed out by non-EU meat. The Commission’s actions will force affected farmers, breeders and entrepreneurs to seek damages on a large scale. The effect of the restrictions on the EU’s food security is of particular concern.
HPAI is seasonal and its prevalence in Poland does not deviate from the EU average. In the event that an outbreak of HPAI is detected in any region of Poland, procedures are in place to guarantee the security of production and minimise the spread of the virus. Despite the fact that other Member States also have high rates of HPAI, the Commission is only imposing these restrictions on Poland.
Could the Commission explain the reasoning behind this decision? How does the above align with the principles of equal treatment of Member States and fair competition between them?
Submitted: 13.5.2025