Statutory guidance

General licence for the movement of animals from a bluetongue restricted zone to Scotland (EXD662(E))

Updated 8 October 2025

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This licence allows, subject to compliance with the conditions of the licence, for the movement of animals from a bluetongue restricted zone to Scotland.

This general licence applies in England.

The general licence EXD662(E) which came into force at midday on 21 September 2025 is hereby revoked and replaced by this general licence with effect from 17:00 on 23 September 2025.

Signed: Katherine Lumb, Veterinary Inspector

Date: 23 September 2025

Time: 4:20pm

Veterinary Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.

Legislation

This licence is made under regulation 13(2) of the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 (as amended).

Conditions of the licence

1. 1. Animals moved under this licence must be tested, in accordance with conditions 3-5, unless:
   1. i. They are exempt animals, as defined in point 4 of the notes section, or
   2. ii. They are cattle which have been vaccinated in accordance with condition 6.
2. 2. No movement may take place under this licence if either the source premises or the destination premises are subject to a bluetongue premises restriction notice. This licence does not override any other existing movement restrictions on animals under other legislation.
3. Testing
4. 3. Where animals are not ‘exempt animals’, they may move on the condition that they have tested negative by a BTV PCR test within the seven calendar days prior to the movement, unless they are cattle that meet condition 6.
5. 4. Male breeding sheep may move under this licence without a PCR test, but it is strongly recommended that they are tested by PCR with negative results received prior to any breeding activity taking place before Spring 2026 in Scotland.
6. 5. For all cows/heifers in the third trimester of pregnancy (i.e. those over 6 months since being served or since the end date of the bull serving period), which are being pre-movement tested, they must also have undergone additional BTV serology testing by ELISA, and receive negative results within the seven calendar days prior to the movement. Both the ELISA and the PCR test should be requested at the time of submitting the samples to the laboratory.
7. Vaccination
8. 6. Cattle that are not ‘exempt animals’, i.e. breeding bulls and pregnant cows/heifers, which have been vaccinated with the Boehringer ‘Bultavo-3’ vaccine in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may move without a pre-movement test, subject to the following conditions.
   1. a. If the vaccine data sheet specifies a revaccination period, cattle should be revaccinated accordingly. Otherwise, cattle should be revaccinated after 6 months have elapsed since completion of the primary vaccination course. Summaries of Product Characteristics (SPCs) can be consulted on the Product Information Database.
   2. b. The vaccination has been reported on gov.uk.
9. Further conditions regarding the history of BTV in the herd or flock of origin
10. 7. Immediately prior to the move of any animal under the authority of this licence, the licensee or their private veterinarian must inspect the animals for clinical signs of bluetongue infection. If any animal shows clinical signs of bluetongue infection, no animal from the same premises may move under this licence until suspicion has been negated by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The animal should be kept isolated from the rest of the herd/flock. You must report suspicion of bluetongue to APHA immediately.
11. 8. Animals moved under this licence must not have been present at a premises where cases of BTV have been confirmed in the six months prior to the movement, irrespective of whether specific animals intended to be moved are tested and found negative, or whether they were vaccinated.
12. Record keeping and documents
13. 9. The licensee must retain, for a minimum period of 2 years, records of the number of animals moved under this licence and their identification numbers.
14. 10. When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry with them a copy of this licence and a consignment note. The consignment note must include:
    1. • the species and number of animals being moved,
    2. • the date of the movement,
    3. • the name of the consignor,
    4. • the address of the premises from which the movement started,
    5. • the name of the consignee, and
    6. • the address of the premises of destination.

Explanatory notes

1. 1. ‘The Regulations’ means the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 (as amended).
2. 2. ‘Licensee’ means a person moving animals under the authority of this licence.
3. 3. ‘Animal’ means a ruminating animal or camelid. ‘Ruminating animal’ includes, but is not limited to, cattle, sheep, goats, deer and camels. Camelid includes, but is not limited to, llamas and alpacas.
4. 4. ‘Exempt animal’ is an animal that is intended to move under this licence but does not require pre-movement testing in order to enter Scotland after having spent any time in the restricted zone. An exempt animal is:
   1. • Any animal not intended to be bred from e.g. store, fattening or slaughter animals; or
   2. • Female sheep and goats, even if pregnant,
   3. • Non-pregnant female animals other than sheep or goats,
   4. • An animal moving from a sale in accordance with licence EXD657(E).
5. 5. ‘Non-exempt animals’ require pre- or post-movement testing in order to enter Scotland, unless they can comply with condition 6. Pregnant cattle, pregnant camelids, breeding bulls and any other entire male of any susceptible species (except sheep), which are intended to be bred from, including through artificial breeding, all fall into the category of non-exempt animals.
   1. Exempt animals:
      1. • Store animals
      2. • Fattening animals
      3. • Slaughter animals
      4. • Non-pregnant female cattle, deer or camelids
      5. • Animals moved under EXD657(E)
      6. • Female sheep or goats, even if pregnant
      7. • Male breeding sheep (tups/rams)*
   2. Non-exempt animals
      1. • Entire breeding males of any susceptible species (except sheep), for example:
         1. • Bulls
         2. • Bucks/billy goats
         3. • Stags/studs etc.
      2. • Pregnant deer or camelids
      3. • Pregnant cows or heifers
6. 6. Vaccination of any animal is strongly recommended, except for animals moving directly to slaughter. Keepers are encouraged to discuss vaccination against bluetongue with their private vet.
7. 7. Where animals are tested for the purposes of meeting conditions 3-5 of this schedule, you must allow 3 working days for turnaround in the lab, and samples must not be collected more than 7 days prior to the intended departure date.
8. 8. Your private vet must follow Improve International guidance on collecting and sending samples for movement testing. Pre-movement or post-movement testing means testing at Pirbright – the national reference laboratory (or an official designated lab) – with negative PCR results (and ELISA testing where required).
9. 9. *Even with the controls on this licence, risk is not zero. It is strongly recommended that for any male sheep intended for breeding and moved under condition 4 are tested by PCR with negative results received prior to any breeding activity taking place before Spring 2026 in Scotland, including collection of germinal products intended for artificial insemination. It is also important that all those involved are made aware of this.
10. 10. The licensee is responsible for paying for any sampling or vaccination necessary under this licence.
11. 11. No testing or vaccination is required for animals which have not resided in the restricted zone moving directly from a Free Area to Scotland through the restricted zone without stops. Scheduled stops are permitted at:
    1. • motorway service stations
    2. • official lay-bys on trunk/main roads
    3. • lorry parks or similar places
12. In Scotland, these stops must follow the conditions in the Disease Control Order General Licence for moving cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
13. 12. The requirements set out in this licence do not affect the user’s obligations under the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 to cleanse and disinfect the vehicle.
14. 13. Movements must comply with routine movement standstill and reporting requirements and any other requirements of the Disease Control England Order 2003 (as amended) and licences under those Orders must be met.
15. 14. A person moving anything under the authority of this licence must, if asked to do so by an inspector or other officer, produce the consignment note and allow copies or an extract to be taken.
16. 15. Record keeping systems must be in place to ensure that all movements can be traced from the source premises to the destination premises.
17. 16. If you suspect notifiable disease you must report this immediately in:
    1. • England: to Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301
    2. • Wales: to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03003 038 268
    3. • Scotland: to the local Animal and Plant Health Agency Field Services team
18. 17. All other relevant legislation must be complied with.

Failure to observe the measures required in this licence is an offence under Bluetongue Regulations 2008 (as amended). The penalty on conviction of an offence under this section is a maximum of 3 months’ imprisonment or a fine not exceeding Level 5 on the standard scale or both.

Contact us

For further advice on biosecurity measures and any other legislation that may apply, contact the APHA on 03003 038 268 or your local authority.