THE HAGUE - The Dutch government has enforced a nationwide confinement and shielding obligation for poultry, following a spike in bird flu cases, the country's Agriculture Minister Femke Wiersma announced on Wednesday.

The measure was unveiled after a risk assessment by an expert group on animal diseases classified the likelihood of further outbreaks in the Netherlands as moderate to high, Wiersma said.

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"Implementing a nationwide confinement and shielding obligation is a significant measure that must be carefully considered, especially due to its impact on the welfare of poultry," said the minister.

"I realize that poultry farmers with outdoor flocks and hobby keepers will be the hardest hit, but we must do everything possible to prevent further outbreaks. The safety of our animals is our top priority."

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The decision follows bird flu outbreaks in Dutch Putten and Gelderland on Nov 18 and in Germany's Kleve, near the Dutch border, on Nov 20.

The confinement order applies to all commercially kept poultry. Meanwhile, non-commercial poultry considered to be at risk, such as hobby-kept chickens, must adhere to shielding requirements.