Statutory guidance

General licence for the movement of poultry meat from poultry originating in a protection zone or originating from an area that subsequently becomes a protection zone (EXD249(HPAI)(EW))

Updated 9 November 2024

Applies to England and Wales

This licence permits, subject to compliance with relevant law and the conditions set out in this licence, the movement of the following types of poultry meat from any premises to any premises including movements into, within or out of a protection zone:

• poultry meat produced from poultry originating in a protection zone
• poultry meat produced from poultry from an area which subsequent to such production becomes a protection zone, and which does not meet the requirements of article 63(3)(b) of the Order

This licence only permits movements 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 movements prohibited by a declaration issued in response to an outbreak of any other strain of HPAI.

This licence is valid from 3:50pm on 25 November 2024 and revokes and replaces the EXD249(HPAI)(EW) licence which came into force at 4:41pm 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

Date: 25 November 2024. Time: 3:50pm.

Veterinary Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State 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 (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2006 (as amended)

This general licence is issued in accordance with:

• Articles 63(2) and paragraph 14 of Schedule 4 of the Order in England and Wales

Conditions of the licence

1) Before leaving a slaughterhouse in the protection zone or  surveillance zone, the licensee must ensure  the exterior of the vehicle is free of any visible contamination with mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions or any other similar matter.

2) The licensee must ensure that the vehicle’s wheels and wheel arches are cleansed and disinfected after loading and before leaving the slaughterhouse. The cleansing and disinfection must take place at a point beyond which no contamination with poultry feathers, faeces, litter, eggshell or any similar matter can take place. Disinfection must be in accordance with article 66(5) of:

• the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) in England
• the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) in Wales

3) Where unpackaged meat, carcases or undressed carcases moved under this licence are transported, the interior or the vehicle and all containers used for transportation must be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected, in accordance with article 66(5) of the Order, after unloading. Disinfection must be in accordance with relevant hygiene EC Regulation 853/2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.

Explanatory notes

1) 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. Poultry meat or poultry meat products that have been treated to a minimum temperature of 70°C reached throughout the meat or product can be moved without a licence.

2) Poultry meat from poultry originating in a protection zone described under point 1 or 2 of this licence (or its packaging) must bear the mark approved by the relevant authority under Article 63(2) of the Order (reproduced below). This meat cannot be exported.

Where:

a) “UK” “GB” and “United Kingdom” – letters 8 mm high

b) XXXX – numbers 11 mm high (where XXXX is the approval number of the premises, as referred to in point 7 of Part B or Section I of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004)

c) Diameter (to outer edge of border) – not less than 30 mm

d) thickness of border - 3mm

When applied to retail packaging, the size of the mark may vary according to the size of the packaging; however, it must be legible to the naked eye, indelible and the characters easily decipherable.

3) Article 63(3)(b) of the Order stipulates that meat produced from poultry from an area which subsequent to such production becomes a protection zone can move without a licence if:

a) it was produced at least 21 days before the date a veterinary inspector estimates as the date of earliest infection at premises in the protection zone (the date of earliest infection is published on GOV.UK)

b) it has been obtained, cut, transported and stored separately from meat produced after that date

4) Poultry meat under this licence must not leave a slaughterhouse unless the requirements of Article 63(2) of the Order are met, namely is obtained, cut, transported, and stored separately from poultry meat from outside of the zone, and bears the approved mark which has been applied in accordance with normal hygiene rules.

5) Poultry meat bearing the special mark, including such meat moved under this licence, is restricted to the domestic market and cannot enter intra-community or international trade.

6) All poultry meat moving under this licence must satisfy the separation requirements in the Order – see Article 63(2) of the Order.

7) A record of the movement as required by Article 74 of the Order, 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.

8) 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

9) A person moving anything under the authority of this licence must, if asked to do so by an inspector, or other officer of the relevant, give their name and address, produce the consignment note and allow copies or an extract to be taken.

10) 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.

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

• England – see our bird flu guidance
• 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 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.