Form

Bird gatherings: apply for a specific licence for poultry

Apply for a specific licence to hold a bird gathering of poultry in England.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 6 August 2025
• Last updated: 10 October 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

How to complete the licence application form: poultry gatherings

HTML

Licence conditions: hold a poultry gathering

HTML

EXD660: application for licence to hold a poultry gathering

PDF, 427 KB, 7 pages

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Details

Before you apply for this licence you should: 

• read the rules on bird gathering in England to check if you can apply for this specific licence 
• check you will be able to meet the licence conditions at your event

1. Download and complete the licence application form. Email it to APHA at outbreak.licensing@apha.gov.uk at least 10 days before your event. Include a copy of your contingency plan. You can apply for a licence further in advance.

2. APHA will carry out a risk assessment based on the information you give in your licence application.

3. APHA will contact you by email to tell you the outcome of your application.  

If the risks can be mitigated (reduced), APHA may give you an agreement in principle. This means you may be able to hold your gathering, but it does not guarantee it.

APHA will reassess the risks 7 days before your event and grant you the licence if the risks can still be mitigated. APHA will grant you the licence at most 7 days before the gathering is due to take place.

If the risks cannot be mitigated, APHA will reject your application.

Get help 

If you need help completing the form, contact the APHA Licensing team. 

Email: outbreak.licensing@apha.gov.uk

Published 6 August 2025

Last updated 10 October 2025 + show all updates

1. 10 October 2025

   Added EXD660, the application form for a licence to hold poultry gatherings, and updated the guidance on how to complete the form.

2. 2 October 2025

   Updated guidance on how to apply for a licence to hold a bird gathering of poultry in England.

3. 6 August 2025

   First published.