Apply for a bird gathering licence
Use this service to notify APHA of a bird gathering under a general licence or apply for a specific licence for gatherings of poultry or other captive birds in England.
Applies to England
Use this service to:
- tell us you are holding a gathering under a general licence
- apply for a specific licence to hold a gathering of poultry or other captive birds in England
If you are using a general licence, you must notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at least 7 days before the gathering.
If your gathering includes birds that are not covered by a general licence, you must apply for and receive a specific licence before the gathering takes place.
Who can use this service
Only event organisers need to use this service. You can use this service if you are organising a gathering of:
- poultry
- other captive birds
- any mix of these
When you do not need this service
You do not need to use this service if:
- you are only attending or bringing birds to an event
- your activity involves poultry or other captive birds from only one premises
Before you start
Read the guidance on bird gatherings and make sure you can meet the licence conditions for:
- general licences
- specific licences
APHA may not be able to issue a specific licence if the risk of disease spread cannot be reduced to an acceptable level. When the bird flu risk levels are higher APHA is less likely to issue a specific licence.
What you need to apply
You will need:
- details of the gathering
- event location and dates
- organiser contact details
- details of the birds attending and where they will come from
- to attach your written contingency plan (for specific licences this must be signed by a veterinarian)
For specific licences you will also need:
- bird expert contact details
What happens next
APHA will confirm your notification within 5 days.
For specific licences APHA will:
- Review your application.
- Assess any disease risks associated with the proposed gathering.
- Request additional information if needed.
- Tell you whether your application has been approved or rejected.
If the risks can be mitigated, APHA may issue an agreement in principle based on the risk assessment at that time. APHA will re-assess the risk within 7 days of your event before making a final licensing decision.