Statutory guidance

General licence for the movement of samples for salmonella testing from premises in the protection zone or surveillance zone (EXD314(HPAI)(GB))

Updated 15 November 2024

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 for testing from premises within an avian influenza protection or surveillance zone to an approved UK laboratory for testing of salmonella in chickens and turkeys.

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 3:55pm on 25 November 2024 and revokes and replaces the EXD314(HPAI)(GB) licence that came into force at 3:05pm on 14 November 2024.

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: Radu Pancu, Veterinary Inspector

Date: 25 November 2024. Time: 3:55pm.

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) Samples sent under this general licence must only be sent to UK laboratories approved for testing of salmonella under the UK Salmonella National Control Programme.

2) 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.

3) The receiving laboratory must be informed of the submission before the samples are sent and the licensee must:

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

4) 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).

5) 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).

6) 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).

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

8) 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

9) Cleansing and disinfection must be carried out in accordance with:

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

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

Explanatory Notes

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

2) 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 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:

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 registration number of any vehicle used

f) the name of the consignee

g) the address of the destination

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 samples being moved

b) the date of the movement

c) the name of the consignor

d) the address of the premises from which the samples have been moved

e) the registration of the collecting vehicle

f) the name of the consignee

g) the address of the disposal premises

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

5) This licence permits the movement of samples for salmonella testing required for the National Control Programme, and sampling for salmonella testing for assurance purposes, such as for meeting Lion Code requirements.

6) 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.

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

a) England – see our bird flu guidance

b) Scotland – see the Scottish Government website

c) 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, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

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