Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease

Advice on what to do if you suspect there is an outbreak of avian influenza.


Licensing for Protection and Surveillance Zones

In avian influenza disease control zones, certain movements of poultry, other captive birds, eggs, poultry products or materials associated with their keeping, or mammals from or to premises where poultry or other captive birds are kept, are not permitted. This is to control further disease spread.

Check if you are in a disease control zone on our interactive map.

Poultry and other captive bird keepers can apply for licences for some low risk movements from Protection Zone or Surveillance Zones when they are in force.

Specific licences

Specific licences cover a movement or activity in a disease control zone when not covered by a general licence (see below). A specific licence will normally allow a one-off movement and will be subject to strict conditions based on disease control risk.

If you need to move something that is restricted in a Protection Zone or Surveillance Zone, you should apply to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

To apply for a specific licence, use the Avian Influenza Licensing Service (AILS) to submit your application online.

Further information on the online application process is available via gov.uk, or contact APHA on 03000 200 301 and choose the relevant options.

You must register your birds with APHA before applying for a licence. Find out how to register your birds.

You should give the licensing team as much notice as possible to process the requests and must allow at least five days for your licence application to be processed. Complex and high-risk movements will require extra time to assess and process. You must make contingency plans to allow for this, and consider what steps you will need to take if the licence cannot be issued in time.

The activity or movement for which you require a licence must not take place until a licence is issued and must be completed within the validity of the licence.

Licences may be reviewed and revoked if area or premises restrictions change.

General licences

General licences allow a movement or activity that would otherwise be prohibited.

You need to check that you meet and comply with the conditions of the general licence. If you do so, you do not need to apply for a specific licence - you can rely on the general licence as providing authority for the movement or activity.

General licences are not applicable for the movement of anything to or from premises that have been served a restriction notice by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

The following licence is available:

  • bird gathering general licence to arrange a fair, market, show, exhibition or other gathering involving the collecting together of captive birds in Scotland EXD178(AI)(S). In force from: 10 am on 26 April 2024.

Contact

Email: Animal.Health@gov.scot (however, only report any dead wild bird findings via 03459 33 55 77)

Animal Health and Welfare 
Scottish Government
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Saughton House
Edinburgh

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