Statutory guidance

General licence for the movement of poultry by-products and hatching eggs for disposal from premises in a protection or surveillance zone (EXD389(HPAI)(GB))

Updated 14 December 2022

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This licence permits, subject to compliance with relevant law and the conditions set out in this licence, the direct movement of poultry by-products and hatching eggs for disposal from premises in a protection zone or surveillance zone to other premises within or outside a zone within England, Scotland or Wales.

This licence is valid from 10am on 12 December 2022 and revokes and replaces the EXD389(HPAI)(GB) licence that came into force at 11am on 3 March 2022.

This licence has been issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Scottish Government and Welsh Government and it applies to England, Scotland and Wales.

Signed:

David Harris Veterinary Inspector

Date: 12 December 2022 Time: 10am

Veterinary Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, Scottish Ministers 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 (Scotland) 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:

  • paragraph 16 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 15 of Schedule 5 of the Order in England and Wales
  • paragraph 17 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 16 of Schedule 5 of the Order in Scotland

Conditions of the licence

1) The move must be directly to the approved disposal premises within England, Scotland or Wales.

2) Movement and disposal of waste hatching eggs and other poultry by-products must be as a Category 1 or Category 2 animal by-product (ABP) as required by the relevant animal by-products legislation. At the disposal premises the waste hatching eggs and poultry by products must be heat treated, without undue delay, to destroy any avian influenza virus which may be present.

3) Eggshell must not be used unprocessed directly on to land, or for use in any products that are fed to animals.

4) Immediately prior to each movement or removal of waste the licensee must inspect hatchery records and any live poultry on the premises to check that they show no clinical signs that could be associated with avian influenza.

5) The licensee must notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) within 24 hours of the inspection to confirm that the inspection has been carried out and that the poultry on the premises showed no clinical signs that could be associated with avian influenza. The notification must include the consignor’s name and address, the destination disposal centre and the date and results of the inspection. The notification can be made by email to outbreak.licensing@apha.gov.uk or in writing to:

The Licensing Team
APHA
Level One, County Hall
Spetchley Road
Worcester
WR5 2NP

6) The vehicle used to transport the waste must be leak proof and covered. There must also be a spill kit available in the vehicle during transport in case of any spillage.

7) The collection vehicle should not be taken onto the premises of origin (where possible) beyond the perimeter of the premises and should not pass over any surface that could possibly be contaminated with mud, slurry, poultry faeces, excretions, feathers, litter, eggshell or other similar matter liable to transmit disease. The transfer of the waste should be at the perimeter of the premises.

8) The vehicle’s wheels and wheel arches must be cleansed and disinfected before leaving any premises from which waste has been collected. The cleansing and disinfection after loading must take place at a point beyond which no contamination with mud, slurry, poultry faeces, feathers, litter, eggshell or any similar matter can take place.

9) After unloading at the disposal premises:

  • the parts of the vehicle and any equipment used to transport anything which might be contaminated with mud, slurry, poultry faeces, excretions, feathers or any other similar matter must be cleansed and disinfected on site
  • the vehicle’s wheels and wheel arches must be cleansed and disinfected after unloading and before leaving the destination premises

10) The licensee must ensure that any person(s) involved in this movement:

  • does not enter or leave any poultry or captive bird premises wearing clothing or footwear which is visibly soiled with mud, poultry or bird faeces or any similar matter
  • cleanses and disinfects their footwear before entering or leaving any premises or place where poultry or captive birds were present
  • removes any disposable clothing before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises and does not reuse it at further premises
  • ensures non disposable clothing is clean and free of all visible contamination before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises
  • takes all other reasonable precautions to avoid transferring mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions, feathers or any other similar matter between poultry and captive bird premises

11) Cleansing and disinfection must be in accordance with:

  • article 66 of the Order in England and Wales
  • article 65 of the Order in Scotland

12) This licence does not apply to movements to or from any premises which has been served a restriction notice by a veterinary inspector.

Explanatory notes

1) When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry a consignment note. The consignment note must include:

  • the quantity of poultry carcases being moved
  • the date of the movement
  • the name of the consignor
  • the address of the premises from which the carcases have been moved
  • the registration of the collecting vehicle
  • the name of the consignee
  • the address of the disposal premises

2) Where the use of a disinfectant is required under this licence, the disinfectant must be used at the correct concentration, allow adequate contact time and must be approved under:

  • the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (England) Order 2007 (as amended) in England
  • the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Scotland) Order 2008 (as amended) in Scotland
  • the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Wales) Order 2007 (as amended) in Wales

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

4) A record of the movement Including the registration of any vehicle used must be made by the occupier of the source premises as soon as is reasonably practicable after the movement and retained for at least six weeks after the movement is completed, as required by Article 74 of the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) in England, or Article 74 of the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended) in Wales. A record of movement from premises in Scotland under this licence must be made by any person moving poultry under this licence of the following information:

  • 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 registration number of any vehicle used
  • the name of the consignee
  • the address of the destination

5) All other relevant legislation must be complied with. In particular, all the requirements of the relevant animal by-products legislation must be complied with.

6) If you suspect notifiable disease you must report this immediately:

  • England - Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301
  • Scotland - contact your local Field Services Office.
  • Wales - 0300 303 8268

7) The authority to move waste under this licence does not apply to premises under Notice as Infected, Contact or Suspect Premises.

8) 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.

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

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.