Hold a bird gathering
What counts as a bird gathering, and how to notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Applies to England
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 Scotland are permitted to attend galliforme gatherings in England from 5 February 2024. Galliforme birds from premises located in Wales are permitted to attend galliforme gatherings in England from 16 February 2024.
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 The bird gatherings general licence for these types of bird was revoked on 8 November 2021.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
You could be prosecuted if you do not meet the licence conditions. Your permission to operate under this licence could be suspended or withdrawn.
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.
Defra has published a captive bird gathering general licence effective from 00:01 on 23 August 2023 until amended or revoked. This licence permits other captive bird gatherings (including in an AIPZ) of all other types of birds except anseriforme poultry and anseriforme birds, provided they have been notified to APHA at 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 updated at midday on 16 February 2024 and effective until amended or revoked. This licence permits galliforme bird gatherings (but not in an AIPZ) provided they have been notified to APHA at least 7 days before the event and that the gathering meets all the requirements of the general licence.
Gatherings of anseriforme poultry or anseriforme birds are not permitted.
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 the captive bird gatherings general licence and the poultry general licence.
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.
You’ll 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
The status of the bird gatherings general licence will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of notifiable avian disease. Any decisions on amending or withdrawing the general licence will be based on risk assessments containing the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.
Defra could withdraw or amend the bird gatherings general licence immediately if the risk of the notifiable avian disease risk increases. Further information on the latest disease situation can be found on the avian influenza, Newcastle disease and paramyxovirus guidance.
If you suspect any type of notifiable disease in poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.
Last updated 16 February 2024 + show all updates
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Galliforme birds from premises located in Wales are permitted to attend galliforme gatherings in England from 16 February 2024.
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The general licence for poultry gatherings in England has been amended. Galliforme poultry kept at registered premises in Scotland can attend shows and gatherings held in England from 5 February 2024.
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Updated to reflect that from 23 August 2023 gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds are permitted in England. You must follow and meet the conditions of the general licences and notify APHA of the gathering.
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Updated the information under the 'Notifiable avian disease risk' heading and other minor changes.
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Updated to reflect changes to the bird gatherings general licence. From 8 November 2021 no gatherings of poultry, galliforme birds or anseriforme birds are permitted.
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Updated to reflect that the new bird gatherings general license is in force from 12:00 on 15 May 2021.
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Updated guidance to reflect changes to the bird gatherings general licence.
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Updated to reflect that some captive bird gatherings are now permitted.
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Updated the guidance under the 'What counts as a bird gathering' heading.
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Updated to reflect that bird gatherings are currently not permitted.
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Page now available in the Welsh language
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Updated licence published: gatherings are not banned in the Higher Risk Areas put in place today. Definition of ‘vehicle’ added to licence.
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Updated licence published: gatherings are not banned under the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone arrangements put in place in England today.
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Updated notes as the Prevention Zone in certain areas of Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside has now been lifted.
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Updated with the new general licence which applies from 15 May 2017.
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Updated with plans to lift the ban on gatherings, across England from 15 May, except in certain areas of Lancashire and Cumbria.
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Updated following the announcement that the ban on poultry gatherings will be lifted on 15 May 2017.
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We've added more information about what does or doesn't count as a bird gathering.
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We've added some clearer information about what does or doesn't count as a bird gathering.
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Added biosecurity advice for bird gathering organisers (licencees) and participants.
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Updated following the announcement of a temporary suspension on certain bird gatherings from 20 December 2016.
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Removed reference to vet assessment as this is a general licence and is therefore not carried out on a case-by-case-basis.
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First published.