Statutory guidance

Bird flu: licence to move table eggs into, within or out of a protection or surveillance zone to an egg processing plant (EXD541(HPAI)(GB))

Updated 24 March 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This licence permits, subject to compliance with relevant law and the conditions set out in this licence:

• the movement of table eggs from premises located within a Protection Zone or Surveillance Zone in England, Scotland or Wales to an egg processing plant
• the movement of table eggs from premises located within a free area in England, Scotland or Wales to an egg processing plant located within a Protection Zone or Surveillance Zone in England, Scotland or Wales

This licence only permits movements that are otherwise prohibited by a declaration issued in response to an outbreak of H5NX, 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 10:50am on 19 March 2026 and revokes and replaces EXD541(HPAI)(GB) which came into force at 3:55pm on 25 November 2024.

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: Karim Hachimi

Date: 19 March 2026         Time: 10:50am

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 14 of Schedule 4 and paragraphs 11 and 15 of Schedule 5 of the Order in England and Wales
• Paragraph 15 of Schedule 4 and paragraphs 12 and 16 of Schedule 5 of the Order in Scotland

Conditions of the licence

1. This licence does not apply for movements to or from any premises which have been served a restriction notice by a veterinary inspector.

2. The movement of table eggs must be directly to the egg processing plant for processing.

3. The destination premises must be an establishment approved for the manufacture of egg products as set out in Chapter II of Section X of Annex III to assimilated Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.

4. Immediately prior to the movement of eggs the licensee must inspect the poultry on the premises to check that they show no clinical signs that could be associated with avian influenza.

5. The eggs must be handled and treated in accordance with Chapter XI of Annex II to assimilated Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 to ensure a heat treatment process is applied to destroy any Avian Influenza virus that may be present.

6. Shells and other parts of eggs which originate from farms located in the current Protection or Surveillance Zone must be disposed of to an approved animal by-products rendering plant as a Category 1 or Category 2 animal by-products as required by the relevant Animal By-Products legislation. Such material must be heat treated to destroy any avian influenza virus which may be present. Eggshell that has not been heat treated must not be:

• applied directly to land used to feed animals
• used in any products that are fed to animals

7. Before entering or leaving the premises where eggs are loaded:

a. the exterior of the vehicle must be free of any visible contamination with mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions or any other similar matter

b. the vehicles wheels and wheel arches must be cleansed and disinfected after loading and before leaving the premises. 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

c. the eggs, packaging, pallets containers and trolleys must be free of visible contamination with poultry feathers, faeces, litter, eggshell originating from other eggs or any similar matter prior to dispatch

d. the eggs must be:

• packed either in new disposable packing containers or in packing containers which have been effectively cleansed and disinfected and marked as such by the operator carrying out the cleansing and disinfection. Trolleys and any other equipment must also have been effectively cleansed and disinfected.
• in packaging on clean pallets
• loaded onto the vehicle from an area free from visible contamination with mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions or any other similar matter

8. The vehicle used must be leak proof, covered and carry a spill kit in case of any spillage on to the road.

9. After unloading the eggs at the destination premises:

• the exterior of the vehicle must be free of any visible contamination with mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions or any other similar matter
• the parts of the vehicle used to transport anything which might be contaminated with mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions, feathers, eggshells, broken eggs  or any other similar matter must be cleansed and disinfected as soon as is reasonably practicable on site (before it is used again)
• the packaging (containers, trolleys and any other equipment) must be effectively cleansed and disinfected before reuse or must be destroyed

10. The licensee named in Part 1 must ensure that persons relying on this licence:

a. prior to entry to the holding must either wear disposable protective clothing or non-disposable overalls that can protect clothing from contamination and can be fully cleansed and disinfected

b. do not enter or leave the premises, wearing clothing or footwear which is visibly soiled with mud, animal or bird faeces or any similar matter

c. cleanse and disinfect their footwear before entering or leaving any premises or place where poultry or captive birds are kept

d. remove any disposable clothing before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises and do not reuse it at further premises

e. ensure non disposable clothing is clean and free of all visible contamination before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises. Reusable non-disposable overalls or other outer layers of clothing must be: - placed in a waterproof bag and the bag securely tied, - the exterior of the bag disinfected before removal from the premises, and - not taken onto another poultry premises until they have been thoroughly laundered, and

f. take 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. Disinfection must be in accordance with the appropriate article:

• article 66 of the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 (as amended)
• article 65 of the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Scotland) Order 2006 (as amended)
• article 66 of the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No.2.) Order 2006 (as amended)

12. Where disinfection is required inside a vehicle, it is the responsibility of the operator to ensure any use of disinfectant is in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions and takes full account of the health and safety of the operator and future occupants of the vehicle.

13. 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 or Article 73 of the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Scotland) Order 2006 (as amended) in Scotland.

14. 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

Explanatory Notes

1. This licence ceases to be valid if the disease status changes (for example, new or revised restrictions) at either the premises from which the move is to take place or at the premises of destination.

2. The inspection of the birds by the licensee, as required in point 4 of the conditions, should take into account any reduction in feed or water intake and any decrease in egg production.

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

a. the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (England) Order 2007 (as amended) in England b. the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Scotland) Order 2008 (as amended) in Scotland c. the Diseases of Animals (Approved Disinfectants) (Wales) Order 2007 (as amended) in Wales

4. Any person to whom any requirement in a declaration, licence or notice under the Order applies must:

a) comply with the requirement (unless authorised otherwise by a valid licence) and

b) comply with any reasonable requests which an inspector may make to them to ensure that the requirement is met

5. The costs incurred by any person in taking any action required by or of refraining from taking action prohibited by the Order (or of any declaration, licence or notice under it) must be met by that person unless the Secretary of State in England, the Scottish Ministers in Scotland or the Welsh Ministers in Wales, as appropriate, directs otherwise in writing.

6. A person moving anything under authority of this licence must keep the licence or a copy of it with them at all times during the licensed movement. On demand by a veterinary inspector or other officer of the Secretary of State in England, the Scottish Ministers in Scotland or the Welsh Ministers in Wales, as appropriate, the person moving anything under authority of this licence must produce the licence or copy and allow a copy or extract to be taken; and on such demand provide their name and address.

7. Record keeping systems must be in place to ensure that all movements can be traced from the premises of origin to the premises of destination.

8. If you suspect notifiable disease you must report this immediately:

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

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

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. Contact Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on the details provided above or your Local Authority (LA) for further advice on biosecurity measures and any other legislation that may apply.

12. For further details of legislation covering avian influenza in:

a. England – see our bird flu guidance

b. Scotland – see the Scottish Government website

c. Wales – see the Welsh Government website

d. or all legislation can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk

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.