Hold a bird gathering in England
What counts as a bird gathering, and how to notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Applies to England
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is in an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ). By law you must follow strict biosecurity and hygiene rules to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading.
You may also be in a disease control zone where you must house your birds. Check what zone you’re in and follow the rules.
If you are not in a disease control zone (such as a protection zone or surveillance zone) you can:
- apply for a specific licence to hold a gathering of poultry
- follow the conditions in the general licence to hold a gathering of other captive birds
Check what zone you’re in on the interactive map.
What counts as a bird gathering
Gatherings involve the collecting together of poultry or other captive birds. They include (but are not limited to):
- bird fairs
- markets
- shows
- sales
- exhibitions
- some premises used for dealing or internet sales
- vehicles used to transport live birds where the birds are brought together from multiple premises (known as ‘many-to-one’ or ‘many-to-many’ activities)
- the bringing together of birds, or incubating eggs that are close to hatching, from more than one premises where they will return to the same or different premises
What activities do not count as gatherings
The following activities are not classed as bird gatherings:
- birds which are brought together from different locations onto one premises, but where no birds leave that premises until more than 14 days have passed since the last bird arrived on the premises
- an activity where all of the birds have come from the same premises and then return to that same premises afterwards
- a sale of birds which have all come from the same single premises (for example, a dispersal sale or ‘re-homing’) even if the birds go to multiple new locations
How to hold a bird gathering in England
Poultry
You can apply for a specific licence to hold a gathering of poultry in England if you are not in a disease control zone (such as a protection zone or surveillance zone).
APHA can only grant bird gathering licences if the gathering and the transport of birds to and from it would not significantly increase the risk of the spread of bird flu.
Check you can meet licence conditions
APHA will complete an individual risk assessment for each application. Based on this, licences that are granted will include conditions to mitigate (reduce) the risks.
Before you apply, you should check you will be able to meet the template licence conditions at your bird gathering.
For example, if your event needs less risk mitigation, your licence conditions could include:
- the presence of a named poultry expert at your gathering
- all birds or hatching eggs must originate from a premises in England
- birds or hatching eggs having not attended another event within the last 14 days
- handwashing facilities being available at the event
- following waste disposal requirements
- cleansing and disinfection of facilities
If your event needs more risk mitigation, your licence conditions could include additional measures such as:
- the presence of a veterinary surgeon on site who inspects all birds prior to entry to the gathering
- the gathering is not within 50m of livestock
- sales of birds or hatching eggs are not permitted at the event
- the birds or hatching eggs must return to the premises of origin
To increase the chances of being issued a specific licence, every effort should be made to minimise the risk associated with the event. For example, only including lower-risk species and limiting the number of birds or premises represented.
Other captive birds
You can hold a bird gathering of other captive birds if you:
- are not in a disease control zone (such as a protection zone or surveillance zone)
- follow the conditions in the other captive bird gathering general licence
- notify APHA of the gathering at least 7 days before the event
- do not have galliforme or anseriforme birds, chicks or hatching eggs that are close to hatching at your bird gathering – unless you have also been granted a specific licence for poultry bird gatherings
If you’re racing pigeons from Northern Ireland and the EU to England, you also need to comply with the EU regulations for the export of captive birds.
Notify APHA of a bird gathering
In England you must notify APHA at least 7 days before a bird gathering of other captive birds. You do not need to notify APHA if you have been issued a specific licence for a bird gathering of ratites.
Telephone the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301 and choose the relevant options for APHA.
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 licence conditions for definitive requirements on taking and retaining records of bird gathering.
Follow the conditions of your licence
By law you must meet the conditions listed in your licence at the bird gathering.
You may be sent to prison or have to pay an unlimited fine if you do not follow the conditions of your licence at the bird gathering.
The Local Authorities Animal Health Function (LAAHF) work with APHA to check that bird gatherings meet their licence conditions. The LAAHF is normally part of the Trading Standards or Environmental Health Service of a local authority.
If a bird gathering is breaking the law, you can report this to your LAAHF. Use the postcode tool to find details of how to contact your LAAHF.
Risk of bird flu (avian influenza) at bird gatherings
The status of the bird gathering licences will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of notifiable avian disease.
Defra will make any decisions on granting, amending or withdrawing licences based on the most up to date information about the risk of bird flu transmission which is available to Defra, including the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.
Defra could withdraw or amend a bird gatherings licence with immediate effect if the risk of notifiable avian disease increases.
You can find further information on the latest disease situation for avian influenza, Newcastle disease and paramyxovirus guidance.
If you suspect bird flu or any type of notifiable disease in poultry or captive birds you must report it immediately by calling:
- 03000 200 301 in England
- 0300 303 8268 in Wales
- your local local Field Services Office in Scotland
Bird flu is a notifiable disease in poultry and other captive birds. If you do not report it, you’re breaking the law.
Updates to this page
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You can apply for a licence to hold a bird gathering of poultry in England if you're not in a disease control zone.
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You can now apply for a licence to hold a bird gathering of ratites (such as ostriches, emus and rheas) in England if you're not in a disease control zone.
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The guidance has been updated to include what activities do not count as gatherings.
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Updated section on ‘what counts as a bird gathering’ for clarity.
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From Monday 10 February 2025 you cannot hold bird gatherings of poultry, galliforme or anseriforme birds in England. This includes ducks, geese, swans, pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl.
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The page has been updated to clarify information around bird gatherings.
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Updated to reflect that from 26 April 2023, gatherings of all poultry and other captive birds, including ducks, geese and swans are permitted. You need to follow the requirements of the poultry gathering general licence and notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at least 7 days before the event.
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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.