Inactivation of pathogenic avian viruses during high pressure processing was investigated. Avian influenza, Newcastle disease and six strains of infectious bursal disease virus were tested. 2 min treatment at 600 MPa resulted in substantial inactivation of viruses in chicken meat homogenate. A very virulent strain of infectious bursal disease virus showed some persistent particles. Resistant IBDV particles were not infectious to chickens when challenged via the mucosal route.