- From 12pm on the 26 April 2024 gatherings of all poultry including anseriforme birds (for example ducks and geese) are permitted in England provided you:
- follow and meet the requirements of the poultry gathering general licence
- notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of the gathering at least 7 days before the event.
- Gatherings of all other types of birds are also permitted provided you:
- follow and meet all the requirements of the captive bird gathering general licence
- notify APHA of the gathering at least 7 days before the event.
- Mixed gatherings of poultry and other captive birds are permitted in England provided that the licensee notifies APHA at least 7 days before the event that a mixed gathering will be taking place.
- Where a mixed gathering of poultry and other captive birds takes place, and the requirements of the poultry gathering general licence must be met for all birds.
- The requirement for poultry to be checked by a vet has been removed, but all birds must still be inspected by a named bird expert.
- Noting that any gatherings of racing pigeons for the purpose of moving to the EU or Northern Ireland for immediate release for racing back to Great Britain still need to comply with the rules set out in the relevant export health certificate (certificate: 8465), including the requirement for a veterinary inspection at marking stations.
- Further information can be found in our guidance on holding a bird gathering under a general licence.
- These changes have been made following a reduction in the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds to LOW (event is rare but does occur) and the risk of introduction and spread of HPAI H5Nx into bird fairs, shows, markets, sales and other gatherings in Great Britain to LOW (event is rare but does occur) from MEDIUM (event occurs regularly) for Anseriformes (and remaining assessed as LOW for Psittaciformes, Columbiformes, birds of prey, passerines, and Galliformes).
- Further information on the evidence that supports this change in licence conditions can be found in the APHA risk assessment on the likelihood of spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5Nx associated with bird fairs, shows, markets, sales and other gatherings.
- Details of changes to the bird gatherings general licences in Wales and Scotland can be found at:
