The Ministry of Agriculture in France announced recently the relaxation of restriction measures aimed at curbing the impact of avian influenza, as no new cases have been detected on farms in the country since March 14. The ministry encouraged farmers to remain vigilant as cases in wildlife and migrating birds have still be detected.  

Under the new relaxed measures, poultry farmers may let birds outdoors under the right conditions and if they are kept away from areas where wildlife are active. The ministry encourages producers to continue implementing biosecurity measures. 

While wildlife deaths have decreased sharply in France, they remain significant in Europe. In addition, average temperatures are not yet high enough to sustainably eliminate the virus from the environment and migration of wild birds continues, constituting an additional risk factor, the ministry said.