Animal Plant Health Agency
When avian influenza is confirmed or suspected in poultry or other captive birds, disease control zones are put in place around the infected premises to prevent the spread of the disease. Within these zones a range of restrictions on the movement of poultry and material associated with their keeping can apply.
Disease control zones in force
Definitive requirements are set out in the published declarations for each disease control zone currently in force.
Find all bird flu cases and disease control zones in England.
Find details of bird flu cases in Scotland, cases in Wales and cases in Northern Ireland.
General or specific licences allow the movement of birds, products of animal origin or mammals from zones. This page lists the licences when available.
The avian influenza guidance explains:
- how to spot avian influenza (bird flu)
- what to do if you suspect it
- and measures to prevent it
To keep up to date with the latest information you can sign up for animal disease alerts from APHA.
Licences
In disease control zones, certain movements of poultry, other captive birds, eggs, poultry products or materials associated with their keeping, or mammals from or to premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept, are not permitted. This is to control further disease spread.
Some low risk activities or movements are possible, provided that all conditions of the general licence are met by the person responsible. If it is not possible to meet the conditions, or if the activity or movement is not covered by a general licence, you can apply for a specific license.
You can apply for licences for some low risk movements from any Protection Zone or Surveillance Zones currently in force.
Licences for the movement within or from the Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zones currently in force are not required.
Specific licences
Specific licences cover a movement or activity in a disease control zone when not covered by a general licence (see below). A specific licence will normally allow a one-off movement and will be subject to strict conditions based on disease control risk.
To apply for a specific licence, use the Avian Influenza Licensing Service (AILS) to submit your application online.
If you cannot use the service, contact: outbreak.licensing@apha.gov.uk.
You should submit your application as far in advance of the requested move as possible. It should be fully completed and include details of your premises registration.
You must register your birds with APHA before applying for a licence. Find out how to register your birds.
You must allow at least 5 days for the processing of your licence application. Complex and high-risk movements will need extra time to process. You must make contingency plans to allow for this, and consider what steps you will need to take if the licence cannot be issued in time.
The activity or movement for which you require a licence must not take place until a licence is issued and must be completed within the validity of the licence.
Licences may be reviewed and revoked if area or premises restrictions change.
General licences
General licences allow a movement or activity that would otherwise be prohibited in a disease control zone. You need to check that you meet and comply with the conditions of the general licence. If you do, you do not need to apply for a specific licence. You can rely on the general licence as providing authority for the movement or activity.
General licences are not applicable for the movement of any thing to or from premises which have been served a restriction notice by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
The following general licences are available in Great Britain:
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