The decree, signed by Health Minister Francesco Storace and aimed at protecting Italy from the spread of bird flu, has immediate effect and also covers game birds shot by hunters, according to Reuters.
The agency cited Storace as saying that he had also taken measures to step up health checks on wild birds and poultry farms, including putting nets over those considered at risk to prevent contamination by migratory birds.
Under the decree, government scientists on Saturday began taking blood samples from migratory birds captured throughout
the country for immediate analysis.
Virology professor Albert Osterhaus, Chairman of the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza, told Sky Tg24:
"At the present moment in Europe bird flu is a veterinary problem rather than one of human health.
"The danger of a pandemic has been present in Europe for many years, but the situation certainly hasn't worsened in
recent months."