Russia expands mandatory domestic poultry registration to enhance epidemic control and food safety

Russia has introduced compulsory registration for domestic poultry farms, extending animal traceability rules to better monitor avian influenza and strengthen food safety measures across the country.

Russia has begun mandatory registration of domestic poultry in private household farms, as authorities extend animal traceability rules to a sector long left outside the state’s main veterinary database. The new regime took effect on 1 September 2026 for holdings with more than ten birds, while smaller backyards have until 1 September 2029 to comply.

The policy covers chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl and ostriches. Rather than tagging each bird individually, farms will be registered as a group, with a single identification plate placed at the poultry unit and the details entered into the federal Khorriot system, or via the VetIS veterinary platform. Officials say the measure is intended to improve monitoring of avian influenza and strengthen food safety oversight.

Alexander Safonov, a professor at the Financial University under the Russian government,said that the location data should help veterinary services identify infection sources more quickly and map higher-risk areas for poultry keeping.

Industry reports also say the registration is free, but failure to comply can trigger administrative fines. The move follows earlier phased registration of cattle, horses, pigs, rabbits, bees and fur animals, as Russia continues to widen its livestock accounting system.

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