Avian Influenza - movement of carcasses, samples, faeces and faecal samples: general licence

General licence for the Movement of Carcasses, Samples, Faeces and Faecal Samples from Live Poultry or Other Captive Birds from a Premises in the Protection or Surveillance Zone to a Laboratory or Veterinary Surgery for Investigation

1. This general licence is issued in accordance with:

• • paragraphs 11 and 14 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 8 of Schedule 5 of the Order in England and Wales
  • paragraphs 11 and 15 of Schedule 4 and paragraph 9 of Schedule 5 of the Order 2006 in Scotland

2. This licence permits, subject to the attached Schedule of Conditions, the movement of carcasses, samples, faeces and faecal samples from live poultry or other captive birds from premises within a Protection Zone to a laboratory or veterinary surgery for diagnostic testing or investigation.

3. This licence permits, subject to the attached Schedule of Conditions, the movement of faeces and faecal samples from live poultry or other captive birds from premises within a Surveillance Zone to a laboratory or veterinary surgery for diagnostic testing or investigation.

This licence is valid from 11:00 on 3 March 2022 and the licence EXD415(HPAI)(GB) that came into force at 17:00 on 24 December 2021is hereby revoked.

Caroline Conradi

Veterinary Inspector

Date: 11:00 on 3 March 2022.

Veterinary Inspector appointed by Secretary of State, the Welsh Ministers and the Scottish Ministers.

Schedule of conditions

1. Carcasses, samples, faeces and faecal samples from live poultry or other captive birds must be moved directly from the premises in the Protection Zone to the receiving premises for testing or investigation.

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

3. Faeces and faecal samples from live poultry or other captive birds must be moved directly from the premises in the Surveillance Zone to the receiving premises for testing or investigation.

4. A movement for the purpose of testing for any notifiable avian disease is not permitted under this licence.

5. Immediately prior to taking the samples, the licensee must inspect the poultry on the premises to check that they show no clinical signs that could be associated with Avian Influenza.

6. When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry a consignment note. The consignment note must include:

• • the quantity of samples being moved
  • the date of the movement
  • the name of the consignor
  • the address of the premises from which the samples has been moved,
  • the registration of the collecting vehicle
  • the name of the consignee
  • the address of the disposal premises

7. The outer packaging and sample submission form must be labelled to indicate the premises of origin and clearly state that these premises are within an Avian Influenza Protection or Surveillance Zone (as appropriate).

8. All samples must be packed in accordance with the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations and ADR to meet UN3373 – P650 packaging requirements. Each package should be marked with “BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE CATEGORY B”. This must be in at least 6mm high letters and placed adjacent to the diamond UN3373 label.

9. All such samples must be sent via recorded delivery, courier, or delivered directly to the approved laboratory.

10. All persons who seek to rely on this general licence must:

• • 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
  • cleanse and disinfect their footwear before entering or leaving any premises or place where poultry or captive birds were present
  • remove any disposable clothing before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises and does not reuse it at further premises
  • ensure non disposable clothing is clean and free of all visible contamination before leaving a poultry or captive bird premises
  • take all other reasonable precautions to avoid transferring mud, slurry, animal faeces, excretions, feathers or any other similar matter between poultry and captive bird premises

11. After the handling of the samples, the part of the room and any equipment used in the handling of such samples or carcasses must be cleansed and disinfected.

12. Disinfection must be in accordance with Article 66 of the Order in England and Wales, and Article 65 of the Order in Scotland.

13. Material moved under this licence must only be disposed of at an approved animal by-products incineration plant 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 a means of disposal or use permitted by Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 (retained EU law) for the relevant category of material.

Notes

1. “The Order” means the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 (as amended) in England, the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Wales) (No. 2) Order 2006 (as amended) in Wales and the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Scotland) Order 2006 (as amended) in Scotland.

2. Other captive birds, according to the Order, are defined as birds kept in captivity which are not poultry and includes pet birds and birds kept for shows, races, exhibitions, competitions, breeding or for sale.

3. Carcasses, according to the Order are defined as a carcase of any bird and includes any part of a bird carcase.

4. A licence is not required for movement of carcasses from the Surveillance Zone for diagnostic testing.

5. 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 Order in England and Wales or by Article 73 of the Order in Scotland

6. When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry a consignment note. The consignment note must include:

• • the quantity of samples being moved
  • the date of the movement
  • the name of the consignor
  • the address of the premises from which the samples has been moved
  • the registration of the collecting vehicle
  • the name of the consignee
  • the address of the disposal premises

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

8. Contact APHA (Contact APHA) or your Local Authority for further advice on biosecurity measures and any other legislation that may apply.

A copy of this general licence can be viewed on the government website for: England, Wales, Scotland.

Up-to-date Avian Influenza legislation can be found on the government website for: England, Wales, Scotland.

All legislation can be found on the U.K Government website.