Hold a bird gathering

You cannot hold bird gatherings of poultry, galliforme or anseriforme birds in England. This includes ducks, geese, swans, pheasants, partridge, quail, chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl.

Gatherings of all other types of birds are permitted provided you:

• follow and meet all the requirements of the captive bird gathering general licence
• notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of the gathering at least 7 days before the event
• are not in a disease control zone

What counts as a bird gathering

Gatherings include (but are not limited to) bird fairs, markets, shows, sales, exhibitions and some premises used for dealing or internet sales. In addition, vehicles used to transport live birds where the birds are brought together from multiple premises (so called many-to-one or many-to-many activities) are also considered gatherings.

What activities do not count as gatherings

YouThe canfollowing readactivities aboutare whatnot countsclassed as a bird gatheringgatherings:

• birds inwhich are brought together from different locations, but where no birds leave until more than 14 days have passed since the noteslast sectionbird ofarrived on the licence.premises
• an Ifactivity onewhere all of the birds ishave definedcome asfrom poultrythe orsame ispremises and then return to that same premises afterwards
• a galliformesale orof anseriformebirds specieswhich ithave isall consideredcome tofrom bethe same single premises (for example, a poultrydispersal gatheringsale or ‘re-homing’) even if all the poultrybirds arego fromto multiple new locations

You can read about what counts as a singlebird premises.gathering in the notes section of the licence.

How to hold a bird gathering in England

You cannot hold a bird gathering with poultry, galliforme or anseriforme birds anywhere in England.

Other bird gatherings are not permitted within disease control zones (which surround an infected premises). Bird keepers and businesses can check where disease control zones are currently in force on the bird flu disease zone map.

Outside of disease control zones bird gatherings are only permitted under the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations (S.I. 2006/2701) if licensed. 

Defra has published a captive bird gathering general licence effective from 15:00 on 7 February 2025 until amended or revoked. This licence permits captive bird gatherings (including in an AIPZ with housing measures) of all types of birds except for galliforme birds, anseriforme birds and poultry, provided they have been notified to APHA at least 7 days before the event and that the gathering meets all the requirements of the general licence.

General licences are issued by government agencies to provide a legal basis for people to carry out a range of activities. By definition people or organisations do not need to apply for a general licence but you are required by law to abide by their terms and conditions.

Definitive requirements for allowed bird gatherings are set out in the captive bird gatherings general licence.

Pigeon racing from Northern Ireland and the EU also needs to comply with the EU regulations for the export of captive birds.

How to notify APHA of a bird gathering

In England you must notify APHA by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301 choosing the relevant options for APHA at least 7 days before a bird gathering.

You’ll need to provide the following information:

• date (or range of dates) of the gathering
• location of gathering (full postal address and postcode, and county parish holding (CPH) number (if applicable)
• types and numbers of birds expected
• purpose of the gathering (for example, show, sale or racing)
• your name, address and contact phone number, and an email address and mobile number

APHA will notify the local authority about the gathering on your behalf.

Keep records for 3 months

You must keep records of bird gatherings for at least 3 months after each event, including:

• name, address and contact number of anyone moving birds to and from the gathering
• types and numbers of birds exhibited, raced, transported, bought or sold at the gathering

APHA or the local authority may ask you for this information. Consult the general licence for definitive requirements on taking and retaining records of bird gathering.

Enforcement

Non-compliance with this general licence constitutes an offence under the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations (S.I. 2006/2701) and on conviction under section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981 a person may be liable to an unlimited fine and or imprisonment.

Compliance with the bird gatherings general licence is enforced in coordination with APHA by Local Authorities Animal Health Function (LAAHF), which is normally part of the Trading Standards or Environmental Health Service of a local authority. Use the postcode tool to find details of how to contact your LAAHF with any reports of non-compliance.

Notifiable avian disease risk

The status of the bird gatherings general licence will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of notifiable avian disease. Any decisions on amending or withdrawing the general licence will be based on risk assessments containing the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.

Defra could withdraw or amend the bird gatherings general licence immediately if notifiable avian disease risk increases. Further information on the latest disease situation can be found on the avian influenza, Newcastle disease and paramyxovirus guidance.