Statutory guidance

General licence for the movement of mammals (excluding dairy mammals) from or to premises in a protection zone or surveillance zone where poultry or other captive birds are kept (EXD247(HPAI)(EW))

Updated 14 November 2024

Applies to England and Wales

This licence permits, subject to compliance with relevant law and the conditions set out in this licence, the movement of mammals (excluding dairy mammals) from or to premises in the protection zone or surveillance zone, in England and Wales, where poultry or other captive birds are kept.

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 5:45pm on 25 November 2024 and revokes and replaces the EXD247(HPAI)(EW) licence which came into force at 3:05pm on 14 November 2024.

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

Signed: Radu Pancu, Veterinary Inspector

Date: 25 November 2024. Time: 5:45pm.

Veterinary Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State 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 (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2006 (as amended)

This general licence is issued in accordance with:

• Paragraph 8 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the Order in England and Wales

Conditions of the licence

1) Any mammals (excluding dairy mammals) moved under this licence must have no access to and been kept separate from poultry and any other birds for a minimum of 21 days.

2) The movement of mammals (excluding dairy mammals) permitted by this licence shall be directly to the premises of destination.

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) Before entering or leaving the premises where the animals are loaded the licensee must make sure that:

• the bedding used for transportation must be fresh, clean, free of any visible contamination with mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions or any other similar matter, and not have come into contact with captive birds or poultry
• the exterior of the vehicle must be free of any visible contamination with mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions or any other similar matter
• the vehicle’s wheels, wheel arches and mud flaps 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) After unloading at the premises of destination the licensee must ensure that:

• 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

6) 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

7) Cleansing and disinfection must be carried out in accordance with Article 66 of the Order.

Explanatory notes

1) “Dairy mammal” means any domesticated lactating mammal used for the purpose of providing milk for human consumption, including dairy cattle, dairy sheep and dairy goats.

2) Movement under this licence must be notified and / or recorded as required by The Cattle Identification Regulations 2007 or The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) (England) Order 2009.

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

a) what is moved, including its quantity

b) the date of the movement

c) the name of the consignor

d) the address of the premises from which the movement started

e) the name of the consignee

f) the address of the premises of destination

4) 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 the Welsh Ministers, give their name and address, produce the consignment note and allow copies or an extract to be taken.

5) Any move permitted under this licence must comply with:

a) The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) (No.3) Order 2003 (as amended) Article 3 in England

b) the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Wales) (No. 3) Order 2003 (as amended) in Wales

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

a) the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (England) Order 2007 (as amended) in England

b) the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Wales) Order 2007 (as amended) in Wales

7) The licence does not apply to the movement of non-livestock pet animals which:

a) only have access to that part of the premises where people live

b) have no contact with poultry or other captive birds on the premises and have no access to any cages or areas on the premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept

8) This general licence does not apply to the movement of dairy cows from or to premises in the protection zone or surveillance zone,

9) If you suspect notifiable disease you must report this immediately:

a) England - Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301

b) Wales - 0300 303 8268

10) All bird keepers must keep a close watch on their birds for signs of disease and [maintain good biosecurity(https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-flu-avian-influenza-how-to-prevent-it-and-stop-it-spreading) at all times. If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek prompt advice from your vet.

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

a) England – see our [bird flu guidance(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england#law)

b) 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.