Urgent aid of up to two million for the poultry sector due to Newcastle disease

The Consell of the Generalitat Valenciana has approved Decree 120/2026, of July 31, which establishes the bases and the procedure for the direct granting of urgent aid to livestock farms that have suffered loss of income due to the measures adopted in response to outbreaks of Newcastle disease. The regulation, promoted by the Conselleria of Agriculture, Water, Livestock and Fisheries, is published in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana number 10442, of September 2, 2026, with official reference DOGV-C-2026-25621.

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral pathology that affects birds and causes severe clinical alterations, high mortality rates, and a significant drop in productive performance. The appearance of outbreaks in the Comunitat Valenciana forced the competent authority to impose mandatory sanitary measures, such as the immobilization of farms, restrictions on animal movements, and mandatory sanitary voids, which completely interrupted the productive activity of numerous poultry farms.

Beneficiaries and amount of aid

Holders of poultry production and breeding farms (excluding those for self-consumption and small-scale farms) registered in the Livestock Farm Registry (REGA) who were active on the date the outbreaks were declared and who have suffered an official restriction on the entry of animals may apply. They must have the status of an agricultural SME dedicated to primary production and comply with the regulations for the organization of poultry farms.

• Initial maximum global amount: €700,000, charged to the Generalitat’s own funds for 2026.
• Possible extension up to €2,000,000 via decree of the Consell if the credit proves insufficient.
• Direct granting, without public call, for reasons of public, economic, and social interest.

Calculation of loss of earnings

Compensation is based on income not received during the immobilization periods, quantified using objective and verifiable criteria:

• €0.35 per bird declared for each production cycle of broiler chickens of 50 uninterrupted days without activity.
• €0.010 per day and per bird when inactivity exceeds 21 days without completing a 50-day cycle.
• €0.07 per dozen eggs in the case of laying hens, based on the average production of the thirty days prior to the outbreak.

Inactivity periods are calculated from the official dates of immobilization (12/23/2025, 12/29/2025, 01/02/2026, 01/19/2026, 03/09/2026, 04/08/2026, 04/10/2026, 04/28/2026, and 05/11/2026) and the dates they were lifted, in accordance with the resolutions of the general directorate of Agricultural and Livestock Production.

Deadlines and processing

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Generalitat’s electronic office within twenty calendar days from the publication of the decree. The resolution must be issued within a maximum of three months, and payment will be made in a single installment via bank transfer. The processing is the responsibility of the competent general directorate for animal production and health, which will use the Animal Integrated Traceability System (SITRAN) database to determine the periods of activity.

The measure is supported by Article 26 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2472, which allows for compensation for damages caused by animal diseases, including loss of earnings, with an intensity of up to 100% of the damage suffered. The decree also provides for a control plan covering a minimum of 10% of the approved files.

The approval of these aids represents direct support for a strategic sector of the Valencian agri-food chain, whose standstill threatened the viability of farms, rural employment, and the supply of basic products. With this compensation, the Generalitat seeks to preserve the poultry production fabric and guarantee the continuity of activity following the health crisis.

Source: Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana, no. 10442, September 2, 2026, section III B) Grants and scholarships (official reference: DOGV-C-2026-25621).