Apply for a specific movement licence in a bird flu disease zone
Apply for a specific licence for any movement or activity in a bird flu (avian influenza) disease zone not covered by a general licence.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Some movements are covered by general licences. General licences are free of charge and do not require an application: you just need to comply with the conditions. Learn more about bird flu movement general licences.
Use this service to:
- apply for a licence
- check the status of your licence application
- add further information in support of your application
- download issued licences
Before you start
We recommend preparing the following information before you start:
- the licensee’s address and contact details
- the address the animals would be moved from and to
- county parish holding (CPH) numbers
- designated premises approval number (if you have one)
- animal identification marks if available (such as rings and tags)
- stock vehicle and driver details if available
If you don’t have this information, the following links may be helpful:
- register as a keeper of more than 50 poultry or other captive birds
- register as a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds
- apply for a County Parish Holding (CPH) number
The person responsible for the movement or activity must apply for the licence. This might not be the person who will use the licence. For example, the driver of a stock vehicle may use the licence but the applicant will be responsible for compliance with the licence conditions.
In the case of feed, fuel, hatching eggs or slaughter poultry, it is the feed company, fuel company, hatchery or slaughterhouse that must apply.
You must apply for your licence with at least 5 working days’ notice. Any movement or activity should not take place until you receive your licence.
If there are exceptional circumstances and you need the licence earlier than 5 days, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) by calling 03000 200 301, or email customeradvice@apha.gov.uk.
You may not need to apply for a specific licence if your movement or activity is covered by a bird flu general licence.
We reserve the right to review and revoke a licence if areas or premises restrictions apply.
Get help
If you need technical help with the service or to report a problem, you can contact the APHA customer advice team.
Email: customeradvice@apha.gov.uk.
Telephone: 03000 200 301.
Updates to this page
Published 26 April 2024Last updated 1 October 2024 + show all updates
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This page is now only about applying for a specific licence for movement or activity in a bird flu disease zone. To apply for a licence to move animals within, into and out of bluetongue zones, see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-move-animals-within-into-and-out-of-bluetongue-zones. To apply for a licence to vaccinate animals against BTV-3 outside high-risk counties, see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-use-a-btv-3-vaccine-outside-a-high-risk-county.
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You can now use this page to apply for a specific licence to vaccinate your animals against bluetongue.
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First published.