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 (PZ) or Surveillance Zones (SZ) 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).
Following a risk assessment the general licence does not permit the gathering of Anseriformes (e.g. ducks and geese), however, gatherings of Galliformes (e.g. chickens, pheasants and turkeys) are permitted subject to a range of specific conditions. See licence for detail. This position will kept under continual review. However, the following licence is available:
Bird gatherings
- bird gathering general licence to arrange a fair, market, show, exhibition or other gathering involving the collecting together of ‘other captive birds’ in Scotland EXD178(AI)(S). In force from: 12 noon on 8 July 2025.
Eggs
- Avian influenza general licence for the movement of table eggs into, within or out of a protection zone or surveillance zone (EXD243(HPAI)(GB)): In force on 19:45hrs on 19 December 2025
The movement of eggs from a premises in a PZ or SZ to a premises for the manufacture of egg products is covered by specific licence (EXD376(HPAI): As this is a specific licence an application must be made through the Avian Influenza licensing portal: Apply for a specific movement licence in a bird flu disease zone - GOV.UK
Mammals
- Avian influenza general licence for the movement of mammals within, into or out of a Protection Zone where poultry or other captive birds are kept (EXD674(HPAI)(S)): In force from 10:35 hrs on 20 December 2025
- Avian influenza general licence for the movement of mammals from or to premises in a Surveillance Zone where poultry or other captive birds are kept (EXD673(HPAI)(S)) In force from 10:40hrs on 20 December 2025
Carcases, litter, manure and slurry
- Avian influenza general licence for the movement and spreading of poultry litter, manure and slurry from premises in a PZ or SZ in England, Wales or Scotland (EXD353(HPAI)(GB)): In force from 09:05hrs on 20 December 2025
- Avian influenza general licence for the movement of poultry and other captive bird carcases for disposal from premises within a PZ or SZ in England, Wales or Scotland (EXD339(HPAI)(GB)): In force from 10:20hrs on 20 December 2025
Laboratory testing
- salmonella testing: Avian influenza general licence for the movement of samples for salmonella testing from a protection zone or surveillance zone (EXD314) (HPAI)(GB): In force from 15:35hrs on 25 November 2024
Contact
Email: Animal.Health@gov.scot (However, only report dead wild bird findings via 03459 33 55 77).
Animal Health and Welfare
Scottish Government
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Saughton House
Edinburgh