Statutory guidance

General licence for the spreading on premises or movement of used poultry litter, poultry manure and poultry slurry originating from premises in a protection zone or a surveillance zone in England, Wales and Scotland (EXD353(HPAI)(GB))

Updated 14 December 2022

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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This licence permits, subject to compliance with relevant law and the conditions set out in this licence, the spreading on premises and movement of used poultry litter, poultry manure and poultry slurry from premises in a protection zone or a surveillance zone within England, Scotland or Wales.

This licence is valid from 10am on 12 December 2022 and revokes and replace EXD353(HPAI)(GB) which came into force at 3pm on 30 March 2022.

This licence has been issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Scottish Government and Welsh Government and it applies to England, Scotland and Wales.

Signed:

David Harris Veterinary Inspector

Date: 12 December 2022 Time: 10am

Veterinary Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, Scottish Ministers and Welsh Ministers.

If the activity that you wish to undertake is not covered by this licence, or if you are unable to comply with any of the terms and conditions which apply to the use of this licence, then you will need to apply for a specific licence.

Legislation

This licence is made under the powers contained in the Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended) and “the Order” which means:

  • The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended)
  • The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Scotland) Order 2006 (as amended)
  • The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2006 (as amended)

This general licence is issued in accordance with:

  • paragraph 11 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 8 of Schedule 5 of the Order in England and Wales
  • paragraph 11 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 9 of Schedule 5 of the Order in Scotland

Conditions of the licence

1) The move must be direct to the destination where the used poultry litter, manure or slurry is to be treated (as described in condition 8 or 9 below) or disposed of (as described in condition 10 below).

2) Immediately prior to the movement of untreated or treated used poultry litter, manure or slurry the licensee must inspect the poultry on the premises of origin to confirm they show no clinical signs that could be associated with avian influenza.

3) Prior to removal and where large amounts of dust are likely to be produced during the handling process, appropriate additional biosecurity measures such as spraying the litter or manure with suitable virucidal disinfectants should be taken.

4) Before leaving the premises of origin:

  • the exterior of the vehicle must be free of any visible contamination with mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions, poultry feathers, litter, eggshell or any other similar matter
  • the vehicle’s wheels and wheel arches must be cleansed and disinfected after loading and before leaving the premises. The cleansing and disinfection must take place at a point beyond which no contamination with poultry feathers, faeces, litter, eggshell or any similar matter can take place

5) The vehicle or container used to transport the materials must be leak proof. There must also be a spill kit available in the vehicle during transport in case of any spillage.

6) After unloading at the premises of destination:

  • the parts of the vehicle and any equipment used to transport anything which might be contaminated with mud, slurry, poultry faeces, excretions, feathers or any other similar matter must be cleansed and disinfected on site
  • the vehicle’s wheels and wheel arches must be cleansed and disinfected after unloading and before leaving the destination premises

7) A copy of this licence must be provided to the operator of the destination premises.

8) Poultry litter, manure, and used bedding from a premises in the Protection or Surveillance Zones must not be applied to land or pasture in any way unless one of the following methods is employed:

  • steam treated to a temperature of at least 70°C
  • sprayed with disinfectant (in line with condition 13 below) and as far as practicable covered with impervious sheeting to protected access from wild birds and other animals. It must be stacked and stored for a minimum of 42 days after the last addition of material at the premises, either at the premises of origin or the premises of destination
  • buried on the premises from which it originated, deep enough to prevent access by wild birds and animals

9) Slurry must be stored for a minimum of 60 days after the last addition of material either at the premises of origin or the premises of destination.

10) Poultry litter or manure is taken to an animal by-products approved plant for treatment or disposal by incineration, combustion, or rendering only, and in accordance with the relevant animal by-products legislation.

11) After applying the treatments set out in conditions 8, 9, or 10 the material is no longer under restriction and may be spread on the premises or moved to another premises for spreading subject to any restrictions on the premises where it is located.

12) The licensee must ensure that any person(s) involved in this movement:

  • does not enter or leave any poultry or captive bird premises wearing clothing or footwear which is visibly soiled with mud, poultry or bird faeces or any similar matter
  • cleanses and disinfects their footwear before entering or leaving any premises or place where poultry or captive birds were present
  • removes any disposable clothing before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises and does not reuse it at further premises
  • ensures non disposable clothing is clean and free of all visible contamination before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises
  • takes all other reasonable precautions to avoid transferring mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions, feathers or any other similar matter between poultry and captive bird premises

13) Cleansing and disinfection must be in accordance with:

  • article 66 of the Order in England and Wales
  • article 65 of the Order in Scotland.

14) This licence does not apply to any premises which has been served a restriction notice by a veterinary inspector.

Explanatory notes

1) A record of the movement Including the registration of any vehicle used must be made by the occupier of the source premises as soon as is reasonably practicable after the movement and retained for at least six weeks after the movement is completed, as required by Article 74 of the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) in England, or Article 74 of the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) in Wales. A record of movement from premises in Scotland under this licence must be made by any person moving poultry under this licence of the following information:

  • what is moved, including its quantity
  • the date of the movement
  • the name of the consignor
  • the address of the premises from which the movement started
  • the registration number of any vehicle used
  • the name of the consignee
  • the address of the destination

2) When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry a consignment note. The consignment note must include:

  • the quantity of poultry carcases being moved
  • the date of the movement
  • the name of the consignor
  • the address of the premises from which the carcases have been moved
  • the registration of the collecting vehicle
  • the name of the consignee
  • the address of the disposal premises

3) Where the use of a disinfectant is required under this licence, the disinfectant must be used at the correct concentration, allow adequate contact time and must be approved under:

  • the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (England) Order 2007 (as amended) in England
  • the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Scotland) Order 2008 (as amended) in Scotland
  • the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Wales) Order 2007 (as amended) in Wales

4) Where material is to be stacked or stored on premises this should be in line with:

a) relevant guidance:

b) and the nitrate vulnerable zone rules:

5) The relevant requirements for spreading poultry manure on land should also be followed:

6) Waste wash water, defined as “water used for the rinsing and removal of detergent as part of a cleaning process”, does not require licencing to be moved. However, disposal of wastewater should be in line with:

a) Animal disease outbreak: prevent pollution from cleaning and disinfection

b) the nitrate vulnerable zone rules (see note 5 above)

7) All other relevant legislation must be complied with.

8) Under condition 8, in order to bury poultry manure, litter, and used bedding, prior consent is required by the relevant authority:

9) All bird keepers must keep a close watch on their birds for signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity at all times. If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek prompt advice from your vet.

10) For further details of legislation covering avian influenza in:

Failure to observe the measures required in this licence is an offence under Section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981. The penalty on conviction of an offence under this section is a maximum of six months imprisonment or a fine not exceeding Level 5 on the standard scale or both.

Contact us

If you have any queries regarding this general licence, please contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Please include your name, full address and telephone number so we can ensure your enquiry is routed to the correct area expert.

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