General licence to arrange a fair, market, show, exhibition or other gathering involving the collecting together of captive birds in England

Mar 01, 2024

Updated 22 August 2023

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Valid from: 00:01 on 23 August 2023.

EXD 178(AI) Captive BirdsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsCommission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1136The Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006

1) In accordance with regulation 6(2) of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations S.I. 2006/2701 (“the 2006 Regulations”) the Secretary of State grants this general licence which permits, subject to compliance by the licensee with the conditions in the Schedule, the gathering of captive birds with the exception of:

2) A veterinary risk assessment has been carried out in accordance with regulation 6(3) of the 2006 Regulations.

3) The Secretary of State is satisfied that (subject to the conditions set out in the Schedule), bird gatherings and the transit of birds to and from gatherings will not significantly increase the risk of transmission of avian influenza virus.

4) This general licence applies to the collection of captive birds (excluding those which are listed in paragraph 1) at fairs, markets, shows, exhibitions and other gatherings that are to take place on or after 8 November 2021, subject to the conditions set out in the Schedule.

5) In accordance with Article 4(4)(e) of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1136 (“the Decision”) the Secretary of State grants this general licence which permits, subject to compliance by the licensee with the conditions in the Schedule, the gathering of captive birds in the higher risk areas (HRAs) identified by the Secretary of State under the Decision.

6) An epidemiological assessment has been carried out in accordance with Article 4(1) of the Decision.

7) The general licence dated 05 November 2021 is hereby amended with effect from 00:01 on 23 August 2023.

8) This general licence may be amended, suspended or revoked at any time by the Secretary of State in writing with immediate effect if the veterinary risk assessment changes with regard to the risk of spread of avian influenza virus in accordance with regulation 3(1) of the 2006 Regulations.

Signed by Gordon HickmanFor and on behalf of the Secretary of State:On 22 August 2023

Non-compliance with this licence constitutes an offence under the 2006 Regulations and on conviction under section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981 a person may be liable to an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment.

1) In this Schedule:

(i) galliforme birds (including pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkey, guinea fowl)

(ii) anseriforme birds (including ducks, geese, swans)

(iii) birds that are reared or kept in captivity for the production of meat, or eggs for consumption, the production of other commercial products, for restocking supplies of game or for the purposes of any breeding programme for the production of these categories of birds

2) The licensee must notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at least 7 days before the event.

3) Any notifications to APHA must include at least the following information:

(a) the date (or range of dates) the bird gathering will take place; and

(b) the location of the gathering, including full postal address and postcode, and CPH number (if applicable); and

(c) details of the licensee, including full name of contact person, contact address, telephone number and email address (where available); and

(d) anticipated numbers and type(s) of birds that will be gathered together; and

(e) the purpose or purposes of the gathering

4) Any changes to the information provided at condition 3 points (a), (b), (c) or (e) or any significant changes in (d) which occur between notification and any event must also be notified to APHA as soon as possible before the event.

5) Where the event takes the form of regular dealing or remote or internet sales then the premises and any vehicle used by the licensee for the gathering of birds following such a sale must be registered with APHA, and the licensee must notify APHA at least annually of the frequency and volume of such sales.

6) The licensee must take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of notifiable avian disease onto, within and off the premises or vehicle where the gathering is held.

7) The licensee of any fair, market, show or exhibition must provide biosecurity advice in advance of such an event to all participants that must include:

(a) a recommendation that birds should be health-checked before travelling to any gathering; and

(b) a recommendation that any birds travelling from a gathering to any premises (whether they are returning to premises of origin or to a new location) must be isolated from other birds at that premises and health-monitored for at least one week afterwards; and

(c) a recommendation that the keeper of any birds attending a gathering should be registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency on the GB Poultry Register

8) The licensee must not allow any cage, crate, basket, receptacle or other container onto a gathering which is visibly contaminated with bird droppings or other material of bird origin, other than faeces produced during the transportation of the birds to the gathering. The licensee must make this requirement known in advance to all participants in its advertising literature, on entry forms or by any other appropriate means.

9) Thorough cleansing and disinfection of all solid surfaces exposed to birds or faecal material must be carried out by the licensee as soon as practicable after birds have left the gathering and before the next event. These surfaces include, but are not limited to, hard-standing, concrete, paved or tarmac areas, floors, walls, tables and vehicles used at the event. If an area cannot be cleansed and disinfected (for example grassed areas) then a further gathering may not be held until authorised in writing by APHA.

10) The licensee must:

i) ensure that no birds are allowed to enter a gathering unless the participant declares that they do not originate from premises or areas which are under restrictions related to confirmation of a notifiable avian disease, including from any temporary disease controlled zone imposed by Ministers; and

ii) ensure that a veterinary surgeon is available to attend at short notice, during the whole time that birds are present at the event, and the licensee must consult that veterinary surgeon if birds show signs of ill-health or welfare problems; and

iii) ensure that when they arrive at the event venue the birds remain isolated from all other birds on the event site until all such birds have been individually inspected by a named bird expert designated by the licensee; and

iv) ensure that any birds that fail the inspection or show any signs suggestive of avian notifiable disease during the event, are reported immediately to APHA. Such birds must then be prevented from participating at the gathering and be kept isolated from other birds until examined by a veterinary inspector and written authority obtained from APHA permitting them to leave the gathering; and

v) ensure that waste material, including any feed to which any birds had access, all bedding, droppings, bird carcases or other material of bird origin, that remain at the end of the event, is:

a) disposed of so that birds (including wild birds) do not have access to them (this should include double-bagging, followed by secure removal by a suitably licensed waste operator); or

b) treated so as to remove the risk of transmission of disease; and

vi) ensure that any cages, crates, baskets, pens or other containers not removed from the premises or vehicle used for the gathering by those attending the gathering are cleansed and disinfected as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the gathering and in any case before they are used again; and

vii) ensure that cleansing and disinfection facilities (for example hand-washing facilities, disinfectant mats and foot-dips) are available to participants and visitors on site, and that participants adhere to good biosecurity practises; and

viii) ensure that anyone seen to be visibly contaminated with faecal material, feathers or other material of bird origin is refused entry to the bird area until such contamination has been removed.

11) The gathering must not be located within any notifiable avian disease Protection Zone, Surveillance Zone, Temporary Control Zone, Temporary Movement Restriction Zone or Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Restricted Area and if one is imposed during the course of the gathering then the contingency plan arrangements (see condition 15 below) must be invoked immediately and advice sought from APHA.

12) The licensee must require all participants bringing birds to a gathering, other than participants bringing racing pigeons to a race event, to complete and return a signed declaration form before allowing entry to where live birds are kept or gathered, confirming:

a) they have read and will comply with the biosecurity information provided; and

b) that to the best of their knowledge their birds have not been in contact with any notifiable avian disease agents and do not show any signs of infection; and

c) the address of the premises of origin of the birds, with confirmation that the birds do not originate from a premises within a Protection Zone, Surveillance Zone, Temporary Control Zone, Temporary Movement Control Zone or other notifiable avian disease controlled zone

13) The licensee must make a record of all people who bring birds to their gathering, or take such birds from the gathering, and keep such record for at least 3 months following the event. The licensee must present these records when requested by an APHA inspector or Local Authority inspector. The record must be provided to an inspector if requested. The record must include at least the following information:

a) full name; and

b) home address including postcode and details of premises of origin of the birds if different from the home address; and

c) telephone numbers (landline and/or mobile); and

d) email address (if available); and

e) number and types of birds exhibited, raced, re-homed, bought or sold, details of the origin and eventual destination of the birds; and

f) the signed declaration referred to in condition 12 (required for all participants except those bringing racing pigeons at a race event)

14) The licensee must require as a condition of entry, for all events or gatherings, that all participants check their birds for disease prior to departure from the event or gathering.

15) The licensee must have in place and available for inspection written contingency plan arrangements that set down what will happen if there is suspicion or confirmation of a notifiable avian disease at or near to the event. The plan must include:

i) how birds suspected of notifiable avian disease will be separated from other birds; and

ii) where notifiable avian disease is suspected at the gathering, the plan must explain how birds will be kept at the premises or vehicle used for the gathering until an APHA Veterinary Inspector has given instructions for birds to leave the premises; and

iii) arrangements to keep birds at the event premises or vehicle used for the gathering if movements off it are restricted because the gathering subsequently becomes located in an avian notifiable disease controlled zone

1) The statutory rules on bird gatherings apply to all bird keepers, whether the birds are kept commercially, as a hobby, or as pets.

2) Control of bird gatherings is intended to reduce the risk of the dispersal of undetected avian influenza virus. The Avian influenza Preventative Measures (England) Regulations 2006 regulation 6 prohibits the collecting together of poultry or other captive birds unless licensed by the Secretary of State. Regulation 4(4) of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/236 allows gatherings only if satisfactory biosecurity measures are in place to prevent the risk of transmission of disease. This licence covers a variety of situations where birds are collected together and the following text is intended to help bird keepers understand whether these rules apply to their activity.

3) The following features indicate a bird gathering is taking place:

4) The following are examples of gatherings:

5) For clarity we do not consider the following to be bird gatherings:

The lists in notes 4 and 5 are not intended to be comprehensive.

6) Whilst events which are not gatherings do not need a licence, it is best practice to adopt good biosecurity measures and to keep a record of all movements of birds on and off the premises or vehicle.

7) If you are unsure whether your activity requires a licence, APHA can provide further advice.

8) Article 12 (Racing pigeons) of the Diseases of Poultry (England) Order 2003 requires that:

“(1) An organiser of a show or race which takes place wholly or partly in England shall ensure that all racing pigeons entered for the race or show have been vaccinated against paramyxovirus 1 in pigeons.

(2) Every person who owns or keeps racing pigeons shall keep a record of every race or show for which he enters his pigeons.”

9) The 2006 Regulations contain the following definitions -

“other captive bird” means any bird kept in captivity which is not poultry and includes pet birds and any bird kept for shows, races, exhibitions, competitions, breeding or for sale

“poultry” means all birds that are reared or kept in captivity for the production of meat or eggs for consumption, the production of other commercial products, for restocking supplies of game or for the purposes of any breeding programme for the production of these categories of birds

10) The Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain defines ‘notifiable avian disease’ as avian influenza and Newcastle disease.

11) The Diseases of Poultry (England) Order 2003 defines “racing pigeon” to mean any pigeon transported or intended for transport from its pigeon house (any installation used for keeping or breeding racing pigeons) to be released so that it may freely fly back to its pigeon house or to any other destination.

12) Disinfectants approved for use against poultry diseases are listed at: www.gov.uk/guidance/defra-approved-disinfectant-when-and-how-to-use-it.

13) Anyone in possession of any bird or bird carcase which they suspect may be infected with notifiable avian disease must immediately notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency office.

14) The relevant requirements of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 and/or the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) (No. 3) Order 2003 must be observed.

15) Further advice on biosecurity measures and any other legislation that may apply can be obtained from GOV.UK or APHA.

17) There is separate General Licence for gatherings of poultry and anseriforme and galliforme birds.

18) APHA may be contacted via the: