General licence for the movement of poultry carcases for disposal from premises in a protection zone in England, Scotland or Wales (EXD339(HPAI)(GB))

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

This licence is valid from 10am on 12 December 2022 and revokes and replaces the EXD339(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.

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 of the Order in England and Wales
• paragraph 15 of Schedule 4 of the Order in Scotland.

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

2.    Poultry carcases may only be moved for disposal, by the means of disposal prescribed for Category 1 material or Category 2 material by Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009 (retained EU law). Disposal of carcases must be by the means of disposal and use permitted by Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009 (retained EU law) for the relevant category of material. The derogation in Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009 (retained EU law) enabling the use of Category 2 animal by-products in the feeding of any animals does not apply to these carcases. 

3.    Immediately prior to each movement or removal of poultry carcases the licensee must inspect the poultry on the premises to check that they show no [clinical signs](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu) that could be associated with avian influenza. 

4.    The licensee must notify 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. 

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

6.    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 poultry carcases should be at the perimeter of the premises. 

7.    The vehicle’s wheels and wheel arches must be cleansed and disinfected before leaving any premises from which a poultry carcase 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.

8.    After unloading at the poultry carcases 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. 

9.    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 

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

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

2.    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

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

4.    The premises from which the carcasses have been moved must be cleansed and disinfected in accordance with Article 66 of the Order in England and Wales or Article 65 of the Order in Scotland (whichever is appropriate). 

5.    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:

• 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 

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 poultry carcases under this licence does not apply to premises under Notice as Infected, Contact or Suspect Premises. 

8.    A carcase may only be moved by a collector registered under the requirements of Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009 (retained EU law relating to animal by-products) unless  operating from a premises approved under Article 24 of that Regulation. Any vehicle used to transport a carcase under this licence must comply with the relevant provisions of:

• the Animal By-Products (England)(Enforcement) Regulations 2013 (as amended) in England
• the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 in Scotland 
• the Animal By-Products (Wales) (Enforcement) Regulations 2014 (as amended) in Wales 

9.    The destination premises must be approved in accordance with Article 24 of retained EU law Regulation (EC) No.1069/2009. 

10.    Further information is available on:

• Fallen stock and safe disposal of dead animals - https://www.gov.uk/fallen-stock)
• Animal by-products disposal in Scotland (www.gov.scot)

11.    All bird keepers must keep a close watch on their birds for [signs of disease](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu) and maintain good biosecurity(LINK to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-flu-avian-influenza-how-to-prevent-it-and-stop-it-spreading) at all times. If you have any concerns about the health of your birds, seek prompt advice from your vet.

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

• England – see bird flu guidance (Gov.UK)
• Scotland - see the Scottish Government website
• Wales - see the Welsh Government website

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 and/or a fine not exceeding Level 5 on the standard scale.
 

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.