Statutory guidance

General licence for the movement of samples taken from carcases and faeces from live poultry or other captive birds from premises in the protection or surveillance zone to a laboratory or veterinary surgery for investigation (EXD415(HPAI)(GB))

Updated 14 December 2022

This statutory guidance was withdrawn on 8 November 2024

This general licence is out of date and has been archived. No general licences are available at this time. You can apply for specific licences for movements or activities.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This licence permits, subject to compliance with relevant law and the conditions set out in this licence:

• the movement of samples taken from carcases from a premises within a protection zone to a laboratory or veterinary surgery for diagnostic testing or investigation
• the movement of faeces and faecal samples from live poultry or other captive birds from premises within a protection zone or surveillance zone to a laboratory or veterinary surgery for diagnostic testing or investigation

This licence is valid from 10am on 12 December 2022 and revokes and replaces EXD415(HPAI)(GB) which came into force from 4:30pm on 14 November 2022.

This licence has been issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Scottish Government and Welsh Government and 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, 14 and 16 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 8 and 16 of Schedule 5 of the Order in England
• paragraph 11 and 14 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 8 of Schedule 5 of the Order in Wales
• paragraph 11 and 15 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 9 of Schedule 5 of the Order in Scotland

Conditions of the licence

1) Samples taken from carcases of poultry or other captive birds must be moved from the premises in the protection zone directly to the receiving premises for testing or investigation.

2) This licence must not be used for the movement of whole dead birds from premises in the protection zone to veterinary surgeries or laboratories for diagnostic testing or investigation.

3) This licence does not apply for movements to or from any premises which has been served a restriction notice by a veterinary inspector.

4) Faeces and faecal samples from live poultry or other captive birds must be moved directly from the premises in the protection zone or the surveillance zone to the receiving premises for testing or investigation.

5) A movement for the purpose of testing for any notifiable avian disease is not permitted under this licence.

6) Immediately prior to taking the samples, the licensee must inspect the poultry on the premises to check that they show no clinical signs that could be associated with avian influenza.

7) The receiving premises must be informed of the movement before the samples are sent and the licensee must:

• inform the receiving laboratory or veterinary surgery that the samples are from an avian influenza protection zone or surveillance zone (as appropriate)
• ensure the receiving premises is aware of the conditions of this licence and has agreed to accept the samples

8) The outer packaging and sample submission form must be labelled to indicate the premises of origin and clearly state that these premises are within an avian influenza protection or surveillance zone (as appropriate).

9) All samples must be packed in accordance with the: Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (as amended) and The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) (see explanatory note 1, below, for a link to more information).

10) ADR is to meet UN3373 – P650 packaging requirements. Each package should be marked with “BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE CATEGORY B”. This must be in at least 6mm high letters and placed adjacent to the diamond UN3373 label (see explanatory note 1, below, for a link to more information).

11) All such samples must be sent via recorded delivery, courier, or delivered directly to the approved laboratory.

12) All persons who seek to rely on this general licence must:

• 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
• cleanse and disinfect their footwear before entering or leaving any premises or place where poultry or captive birds were present
• remove any disposable clothing before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises and does not reuse it at further premises
• ensure non disposable clothing is clean and free of all visible contamination before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises
• take 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) After the handling of the samples, the part of the room and any equipment used in the handling of such samples or carcases must be cleansed and disinfected.

14) Disinfection must be in accordance with:

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

15) Material moved under this licence must only be disposed of at an approved animal by-products incineration plant by the means of disposal prescribed for Category 1 material or Category 2 material by Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 (retained EU law). Disposal of carcases must be by a means of disposal or use permitted by Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 (retained EU law) for the relevant category of material.

Explanatory notes

1) For more information relevant to Conditions 5 and 6, above, see our Transporting Dangerous Goods guidance.

2) Other captive birds, according to the Order, are defined as birds kept in captivity which are not poultry and includes pet birds and birds kept for shows, races, exhibitions, competitions, breeding or for sale.

3) Carcases, according to the Order are defined as a carcase of any bird and includes any part of a bird carcase.

4) This licence is intended to allow for movements of samples taken from carcases from premises within a protection zone for diagnostic testing or investigation. For movements of whole dead birds from premises within a protection zone to veterinary surgeries or laboratories, you will need to apply for a specific licence.

5) A licence is not required for movement of carcases from the surveillance zone for diagnostic testing.

6) 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

7) 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.

8) A person moving anything under the authority of this licence must, if asked to do so by an inspector or other officer of the Secretary of State or Scottish Ministers or Welsh Ministers, give their name and address, produce the consignment note and allow copies or an extract to be taken.

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:

• England – see our bird flu guidance
• Scotland - see the Scottish Government website
• Wales - see the Welsh Government website

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.