France widened "high risk" restrictions to the entire country after the detection of several cases of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian flu strain in farms in southwest France and in wild ducks in northern France, the farm ministry said today.

The decision was also motivated by the "rapid change in the... situation in France and in several European countries", the statement said.

The ministry had already imposed tighter restrictions on several zones mostly located in humid areas last month in an effort to avoid contamination.

But France, which has the largest poultry flock in the European Union, has since been hit by several outbreaks, in a setback for French poultry and foie gras producers still reeling from a bird flu epidemic that started a year ago.

Poultry farmers will have to keep their flocks indoors or apply safety nets preventing contact with wild birds, it said.

Those who may not use confinement or safety nets because of animal welfare or quality requirements can ask to be exempted if they can prove sufficient biosecurity measures.

The tighter plan also imposes restrictions on bird gathering and hunters.