General licence for the movement of eggs (including egg waste) from premises outside a protection zone or surveillance zone to an approved animal by-product plant in a protection or surveillance zone for disposal (EXD653(HPAI)(EW))
Updated 6 March 2025
Applies to England and Wales
© Crown copyright 2025
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This licence permits, subject to compliance with the conditions set out in this licence, the direct movement of eggs (including egg waste) from premises outside a protection zone or surveillance zone to an approved animal by-product plant in a protection zone or surveillance zone in England or Wales, for disposal.
This licence only permits movements that are otherwise prohibited by a declaration issued in response to an outbreak of H5NX, where H5NX is any strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of clade 2.3.4.4b, for example H5N1, H5N5. It does not permit movements prohibited by a declaration issued in response to an outbreak of any other strain of HPAI.
This licence is valid from 17:16 on 4 March 2025 until suspended or revoked in writing.
This licence has been issued by a veterinary inspector appointed by the Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers.
Signed: Emily Hayes, Veterinary Inspector
Date: 4 March 2025
Time: 17:16
Legislation
This general licence is issued in accordance with:
- The Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended)
- The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) - Schedule 4 paras 14 and 16; Schedule 5 para 11
- The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) - Schedule 4 paras 14 and 16, Schedule 5 para 11
Conditions of the licence
1. Eggs moved under this licence must be moved to a plant approved under Article 24 of Assimilated Regulation EC 1069/2009, for disposal.
2. The move must be directly to the destination premises.
3. Eggs moved under this licence must at all times be treated in accordance with Assimilated Regulation (EC) 1069/2009 and all other animal by-products legislation.
4. The licensee must ensure that the eggs are to be heat treated at the destination premises, except where already heat-treated prior to the move, without undue delay, to destroy any avian influenza virus which may be present.
5. The licensee must ensure that eggshell is not spread directly on to land in unprocessed form or used in any products that are fed to animals.
6. Immediately prior to the removal of the eggs from the egg source premises, the person who moved the eggs in reliance on this licence must inspect the hatchery records of the source premises and any live poultry on the premises to check that they show no clinical signs that could be associated with avian influenza.
7. Any vehicle used to transport eggs under this licence must be:
- leak-proof
- covered such that no part of its load may fall from or escape the vehicle
- equipped with a spill kit for use in case of any spillage during transport
8. The wheels and wheel arches of any vehicle used to transport eggs under this licence must be cleansed and disinfected after loading and before leaving the origin premises. The cleansing and disinfection must take place at a point beyond which no contamination with mud, slurry, poultry faeces, feathers, litter, eggshell or any similar matter can take place.
9. After unloading at the destination premises:
- 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 before leaving the destination premises
10. A person relying on this licence must ensure that they and any person engaged by or assisting them:
- 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 are present
- removes any disposable clothing before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises and does not reuse it at further premises
- ensures that any non-disposable clothing worn while relying on this licence 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 premises
11. Cleansing and disinfection must be done in accordance with article 66 of the Order.
12. This licence does not apply to any premises which has been made subject to restrictions by a notice served under the Order.
Explanatory notes
1. 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 may need to apply for a specific licence.
2. Terms used in this document have the following meaning:
- a. “egg” means any part of an egg, including egg waste, liquid egg products and eggshells
- b. “approved animal by-product plant” means premises approved under Article 24 of Assimilated Regulation (EC) 1069/2009
- c. “destination premises” means the approved animal by-product plant to which eggs are moved under this licence
- d. “egg source premises” means the premises at which the eggs were produced
- e. “the Order” means the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) in relation to England or the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) in relation to Wales
- f. “origin premises” means the premises from which eggs are moved under this licence
- g. “protection zone” means a zone of that name declared under the Order
- h. “surveillance zone” means a zone of that name declared under the Order
3. When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry a consignment note. The consignment note must include:
- a. the quantity of materials being moved
- b. the date of the movement
- c. the name of the consignor
- d. the address of the origin premises
- e. the registration of the collecting vehicle
- f. the name of the consignee
- g. the address of the disposal destination premises
4. 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) or the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Wales) Order 2007 (as amended).
5. A person moving anything under authority of this licence must, if asked to do so by an inspector or other officer of the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers, give their name and address, produce the consignment note and allow copies or extract to be taken.
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 6 weeks after the movement is completed, as required by Article 74 of the Order.
7. All other relevant legislation must be complied with. In particular, all the requirements of the relevant animal by-products legislation must be complied with.
8. If you suspect notifiable disease, you must report this immediately:
England - Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301
Wales - Animal and Plant Health Agency on 0300 303 8268
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. Further information about legislation covering avian influenza in England and avian influenza in Wales.
Failure to observe the conditions 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 6 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.