Defra lifts ban on poultry gatherings
23rd August 2023
The ban on gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds – including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, partridges, quail and guinea fowl – has been lifted.
Poultry gatherings were banned in November 2021 to help curb the spread of avian influenza, but from today (23rd August), gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds are now permitted.
In order to hold a bird gathering, you must follow the requirements of the poultry gathering general licence and notify the APHA at least seven days before the event.
These changes only apply to gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds held in England. Galliforme birds from premises located in Wales and Scotland are not permitted to attend galliforme gatherings in England.
The UK continues to battle its largest avian influenza outbreak to date with 292 confirmed cases of H5N1 since October 2021 and 199 since 1st October 2022.
The latest case was confirmed in commercial poultry on 20th July 2023 Elham, Folkestone and Hythe, Kent.
