EU poultry meat rules are changing: the 12-week limit for “free-range” labeling is being relaxed during a pandemic

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 02. 26. 11:39

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The European Commission has adopted a delegated regulation updating the marketing standards for poultry meat: the regulation supplements the EU framework regulations (2026/343/EU and 1308/2013/EU) and repeals the previous Commission Regulation (EC) No 543/2008.

The move is in line with the Farm to Fork objectives, taking into account, among other things, sustainability and animal health aspects.

The most important practical change concerns free-range poultry farmers: under the previous rules, the “free-range” indication could remain on the label for a maximum of 12 weeks during mandatory confinement due to avian influenza.

The new regulation abolishes this time limit, so if poultry cannot be allowed to run due to official/epidemiological measures, the products can continue to be marketed with the original livestock husbandry label throughout the entire period of the restriction (exception: guinea fowl raised in an aviary).