Apply for a specific movement licence in a bird flu disease zone
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-09)

Apply for a specific licence for any movement or activity in a bird flu (avian influenza) disease zone not covered by a general licence.

Some movements are covered by general licences. General licences are free of charge and do not require an application: you just need to comply with the conditions. Learn more about bird flu movement general licences (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bird-flu-avian-influenza-movement-licences).

Use this service to:
- apply for a licence
- check the status of your licence application
- add further information in support of your application
- download issued licences
Start now (https://apply-for-an-outbreak-licence.defra.gov.uk/)

Before you start

We recommend preparing the following information before you start:
- the licensee’s address and contact details
- the address the animals would be moved from and to
- county parish holding (CPH) numbers
- designated premises approval number (if you have one)
- animal identification marks if available (such as rings and tags)
- stock vehicle and driver details if available
If you don’t have this information, the following links may be helpful:
- register as a keeper of more than 50 poultry or other captive birds (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/poultry-including-game-birds-registration-rules-and-forms)
- register as a keeper of less than 50 poultry or other captive birds (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-as-a-keeper-of-less-than-50-poultry-or-other-captive-birds)
- apply for a County Parish Holding (CPH) number (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-county-parish-holding-cph-number)
If you’re moving day old chicks or live birds, the premises you want to move poultry to must have a valid biosecurity report (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-a-biosecurity-report-to-receive-poultry-in-a-bird-flu-disease-zone) before APHA can grant the licence.

Who can apply

The person responsible for the movement or activity must apply for the licence. This might not be the person who will use the licence. For example, the driver of a stock vehicle may use the licence but the applicant will be responsible for compliance with the licence conditions.

In the case of feed, fuel, hatching eggs or slaughter poultry, it is the feed company, fuel company, hatchery or slaughterhouse that must apply.

When to apply

You must apply for your licence with at least 5 working days’ notice. Any movement or activity should not take place until you receive your licence.

If there are exceptional circumstances and you need the licence earlier than 5 days, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) by calling xx-xxxx-xxxx, or email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

You may not need to apply for a specific licence if your movement or activity is covered by a bird flu general licence (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bird-flu-avian-influenza-movement-licences).

We reserve the right to review and revoke a licence if areas or premises restrictions apply.

Get help

If you need technical help with the service or to report a problem, you can contact the APHA customer advice team.

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx.