Statutory guidance

General licence for the movement of table eggs into, within or out of a protection or surveillance zone in England, Scotland or Wales (EXD243(AI)(GB))

Updated 9 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 table eggs into, within or out of a protection zone or surveillance zone in England, Scotland or Wales to the following premises:

• an egg packing centre designated by the Secretary of State in England, Scottish Ministers in Scotland, or Welsh Ministers in Wales
• premises for disposal in England, Scotland, or Wales

This licence is valid from 2:53pm on 9 November 2024 and revokes and replaces EXD243(AI)(GB) which came into force at 10am on 12 December 2022.

This licence has been issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Scottish Government and Welsh Government.

Signed: Alicia Roldan, Veterinary Inspector

Date: 9 November 2024 Time: 2:53pm

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:

1) Paragraph 14 of Schedule 4 and paragraphs 11 and 15 of Schedule 5 of the Order in England and Wales.

2) Paragraph 15 of Schedule 4 and paragraphs 12 and 16 of Schedule 5 of the Order in Scotland.

Conditions of the licence

1) The movement of table eggs permitted by this licence shall be directly to either an egg packing centre which has an activated designation or to a disposal premises for destruction.

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

Conditions 3 to 5 are applicable to movements of eggs from premises located in a protection zone or surveillance zone

3) Immediately prior to the movement of eggs the licensee must inspect the poultry on the premises to check that they show no clinical signs that could be associated with Avian Influenza.

4) Before entering or leaving the premises where eggs are loaded:

• 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 and wheel arches must be cleansed and disinfected after loading and before leaving the premises. This must take place at a point beyond which no contamination with poultry feathers, faeces, litter, eggshell or any similar matter can take place
• the eggs, packaging, pallets, containers and trolleys must be free of visible contamination with poultry feathers, faeces, litter, eggshell originating from other eggs or any similar matter prior to dispatch

5) The vehicle used must be leak proof, covered and carry a spill kit in case of any spillage.

Conditions 6 to 12 apply for movements of eggs from all premises

6) Eggs moved to premises designated as an egg packing centre or disposal premises must be:

• packed in disposable packaging or in packing containers that have been effectively cleansed, disinfected and marked as such by the person carrying out the cleansing and disinfection
• in packaging on clean pallets or containers
• loaded onto the vehicle from an area free from visible contamination with mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions or any other similar matter

7) Shells and other parts of eggs which originate from farms located in the current Surveillance or Protection Zone must be disposed of to an approved animal by-products rendering plant as a Category 1 or Category 2 animal by-products as required by the relevant Animal By-Products legislation. Such material must be heat treated to destroy any avian influenza virus which may be present. Eggshell that has not been heat treated must not be:

• applied directly to land used to feed animals
• used in any products that are fed to animals

8) The licensee must ensure that any persons involved in the movement of eggs:

• 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) After unloading at the premises of destination:

• in the case of a premises designated as an egg packing centre, the parts of the vehicle and anything else used to transport eggs to the egg packing centre which may be contaminated with feathers, faeces, litter, eggshell, broken egg or similar matter must be effectively cleansed and disinfected as soon as is reasonably practicable on the premises
• in the case of a premises for disposal the cleansing and disinfection must take place as soon as is reasonably practicable and, in any case, before the vehicle is used again.

10) Cleansing and disinfection must be in accordance with:

• Article 66(5) of the Order in England
• Article 65(4) of the Order in Scotland
• Article 66(5) of the Order in Wales

11) A record of the movement must also be made 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 in England and Wales
• Article 73 of the Order in Scotland

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

• 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 name of the consignee
• the address of the premises of destination

Explanatory notes

1) A person moving anything under the authority of this licence must, if asked to do so by an inspector, or other officer of the Scottish Ministers, 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.

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

3) 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.

4) 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 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 Health Plant Agency.

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