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From 23 August 2023 gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds are permitted in England provided you:

• follow and meet all the requirements of the poultry gathering general licence
• you notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of the gathering at least 7 days

Galliforme birds include chickens, turkeys, pheasants, partridge, quail and guinea fowl.

These changes only apply to gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds held in England. Galliforme birds from premises located in Wales and Scotland are not permitted to attend galliforme gatherings.

Gatherings of anseriforme poultry and anseriforme birds including ducks, geese and swans are still banned. The bird gatherings general licence for these types of bird was revoked on 8 November 2021.

Gatherings of all other types of birds except anseriforme poultry and anseriforme birds are permitted provided you:

• follow and meet all the requirements of the captive bird gathering general licence or the poultry gathering general licence
• notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of the gathering at least 7 days before the event

What counts as a bird gathering

Gatherings include (but are not limited to) bird fairs, markets, shows, sales, exhibitions and some premises used for dealing or internet sales. In addition, vehicles used to transport live birds where the birds are brought together from multiple premises (so called many-to-one or many-to-many activities) are also considered gatherings.

You can read about what counts as a bird gathering in the notes section of the licences. Note that if you bring together 2 birds from separate locations that is considered a gathering. If one of the birds is defined as poultry or is a galliforme or anseriforme species it is considered to be a poultry gathering even if all the poultry are from a single premises.

How to hold a bird gathering in England

Bird gatherings are not permitted within a disease control zones (which surrounds an infected premises) or for galliforme birds in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone. Bird keepers and businesses can check where disease control zones are currently in force on the bird flu disease zone map.

Outside of disease control zones bird gatherings are only permitted under the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations (S.I. 2006/2701) if licensed.

Defrahas published a captive bird gathering general licence permitting other captive bird gatherings (including in the AIPZ) of all other types of birds except anseriforme poultry and anseriforme birds, provided they have been notified toAPHAat least 7 days before the event and that the gathering meets all the requirements of the general licence.

There is a separate poultry gathering general licence permitting galliforme bird gatherings (but not in an AIPZ) provided they have been notified toAPHAat least 7 days before the event and that the gathering meets all the requirements of the general licence.

General licences are issued by government agencies to provide a legal basis for people to carry out a range of activities. By definition people or organisations do not need to apply for general licence but you are required by law to abide by their terms and conditions.

Definitive requirements for allowed bird gatherings are set out in thecaptive bird gatherings general licence and the poultry general licence. These general licences are effective from 00:01 on 23 August 2023 until further notice.

Pigeon racing from Northern Ireland and the EU also needs to comply with the EU regulations for the export of captive birds.

How to notify APHA of a bird gathering

In England you must notify APHA by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301 choosing the relevant options for APHA at least 7 days before a bird gathering.

Youll need to provide the following information:

• date (or range of dates) of the gathering
• location of gathering (full postal address and postcode, and County Parish Holding (CPH) number (if applicable))
• types and numbers of birds expected
• purpose of the gathering (for example, show, sale or racing)
• your name, address and contact phone number, and an email address and mobile number

APHA will notify the local authority about the gathering on your behalf.

Keep records for 3 months

You must keep records of bird gatherings for at least 3 months after each event, including:

• name, address and contact number of anyone moving birds to and from the gathering
• types and numbers of birds exhibited, raced, transported, bought or sold at the gathering

APHA or the local authority may ask you for this information. Consult the general licence for definitive requirements on taking and retaining records of bird gathering.

Enforcement

Non-compliance with this general licence constitutes an offence under the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations (S.I. 2006/2701) and on conviction under section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981 a person may be liable to an unlimited fine and or imprisonment.

Compliance with the bird gatherings general licence is enforced in coordination with APHA by Local Authorities Animal Health Function (LAAHF), which is normally part of the Trading Standards or Environmental Health Service of a local authority. Use the postcode tool to find details of how to contact your LAAHF with any reports of non-compliance.

Notifiable avian disease risk

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