Statutory guidance

General licence for the removal of the meat mark applied to certain poultry meat (EXD264(HPAI)(EW))

Updated 9 November 2024

Applies to England and Wales

© Crown copyright 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bird-flu-licence-to-remove-the-meat-mark-applied-to-certain-poultry-meat-exd264hpaiew/general-licence-for-the-removal-of-the-meat-mark-applied-to-certain-poultry-meat-exd264hpaiew

This licence permits, subject to compliance with relevant law, any person in England and Wales to remove the meat mark applied to certain poultry meat for the purposes of processing or repacking.

This licence only permits activities 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 activities 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 EXD264(HPAI)(EW) licence which came into force at 4:30pm on 9 November 2024.

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

Signed: Radu Pancu, Veterinary Inspector. Authorised by the Secretary of State.

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

Signed: Radu Pancu, Veterinary Inspector. Authorised by the Welsh Ministers.

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

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:

  • Article 63(6) of the Order in England and Wales

Explanatory notes

For the purpose of this licence “poultry meat” means poultry meat and any product containing it which has not been heat treated at a minimum temperature of 70°C, reached throughout the entire meat or product.

1) The mark must be re-applied in the same form once processing or repackaging has been completed, unless the poultry meat has been heat treated at a minimum temperature of 70°C reached throughout the entire meat or meat product.

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

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.

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