Statutory guidance

General licence to move animals from Wales into the bluetongue restricted zone, or out of the restricted zone to Wales, for emergency veterinary treatment (EXD639 (W))

Updated 8 October 2025

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This licence allows, subject to compliance with the conditions of the licence, the movement of bluetongue susceptible animals into or out of a restricted zone to a veterinary surgery, for the purpose of emergency veterinary investigation and/or treatment, and return journey to the source premises within 36 hours.

This licence is valid from 14 July 2025.

Signed: Katherine Lumb, Veterinary Inspector

Date: 14 July 2025

Veterinary Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.

Legislation

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

Conditions of the licence

Any person moving an animal under the authority of this licence must comply with the following conditions:

1. 1. The outward movement of animals permitted under this licence shall be from:
   1. • A premises in the restricted zone in England to a veterinary surgery in the free area in Wales
   2. • A premises in the free area in Wales to a veterinary surgery in the restricted zone in England
2. Including the return to the original source premises. Both the source and destination premises must be located within 10km of the restricted zone perimeter.
3. 2. The licensee must complete Box 1 (at the bottom of these licence conditions) and provide:
   1. • Licensee name
   2. • Source address
   3. • Destination address
4. 3. The veterinary surgery representative must endorse:
   1. • Box 2 (at the bottom of these licence conditions) confirming that all animals listed in Box 1 (below), being moved under this licence received emergency veterinary investigation and/or treatment,
   2. OR
   3. • Box 3 (at the bottom of these licence conditions) confirming that an animal moved to the veterinary surgery under this licence died during investigation and/or treatment.
5. 4. The licensee must ensure that prior to loading animals, the requirements of condition 6 are complied with.
6. 5. After unloading of animals, prior to the vehicle leaving the destination premises, the licensee must ensure the requirements of condition 6 are complied with.
7. 6. The requirements referred to in condition 4 and 5 are:
   1. a. The animal area of the vehicle is cleansed adequately ensuring it is free of organic matter that could attract midges prior to treatment in part b.
   2. b. The animal area of the vehicle must have been treated with an insecticide in accordance with the label.
   3. c. Any insecticide applied must be allowed to fully dry prior to loading any animals.
8. 7. The return journey to the source premises must be direct and completed within 36 hours of the initial movement.
9. 8. If the return journey cannot be completed within 36 hours due to extended veterinary investigation and/or treatment the following conditions apply:
10. The keeper must ensure that:
    1. a. They notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) via email at APHA.CymruWales@APHA.gov.uk and outbreak.licensing@apha.gov.uk with the email title ‘Notification of extended emergency veterinary investigation and/or treatment’ to inform them that the animal cannot return within the 36 hour window.
    2. b. They record when the animal commenced the return journey, recording the destination premises and provide this to APHA upon request.
11. 9. Both the source and destination premises must not be under a bluetongue premises restriction notice.
12. 10. If applicable, the licensee must ensure that the veterinary surgery is aware that the animals requiring investigation and/or treatment are coming from a premises located within a bluetongue zone and should be treated accordingly.
13. 11. The licensee must ensure that the veterinary surgery is aware that the animal/s is moving under this licence and provide a copy of the licence prior to leaving the veterinary surgery.
14. 12. The move through the restricted zone to and from the destination premises must be direct, by public highways, and by the route that is considered likely to be the quickest available.
15. 13. No pick-ups or drop-offs at other premises are permitted.
16. 14. Immediately prior to the outward or return journey, the licensee must inspect the animals to be moved under authority of this licence for clinical signs of bluetongue infection. If any animal inspected or other animal at the premises displays signs that may be indicative of bluetongue infection:
    1. a. This must be reported to APHA immediately
    2. b. The animal must be isolated from the rest of the herd/flock; and
    3. c. The movement of that animal shall not take place.
17. 15. Once loaded, animals must not be unloaded until arrival at the destination premises, except in an emergency.
18. 16. The licensee must retain, for a minimum period of 2 years records of:
    1. a. The number of animals moved under this licence and their identification numbers.
    2. b. Any insecticides used for the purpose of condition 6.
19. 17. When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry with them a consignment note. The consignment note must include:
    1. a. The species and number of animals being moved,
    2. b. The date of the movement,
    3. c. The name of the consignor,
    4. d. The address of the premises from which the movement started,
    5. e. The name and address of the consignee, and
    6. f. The name, address of the veterinary surgery of destination.
20. 18. Upon return to the source premises, the licensee must send a copy of the completed licence to the APHA Licensing team via APHA.CymruWales@APHA.gov.uk

Box 1

I, the licensee, confirm that the information provided below is correct, and the animals listed below are being moved under this licence to receive emergency veterinary investigation and/or treatment.

Animal identification numbers:

Source premises full address:

Veterinary surgery full address:

Signature:

Name (printed):

Date:

Box 2 (strike through if not applicable)

I, the veterinary surgery representative, confirm that the animals listed in Box 1, being moved under this licence, received emergency veterinary investigation and/or treatment.

Signature:

Name (printed):

Role:

Date:

Box 3 (strike through if not applicable)

I, the veterinary surgery representative, confirm that the animals listed below, are deceased and will not be completing the return journey.

Animal identification numbers:

Signature:

Name (printed):

Role:

Date:

Explanatory notes

1. 1. ‘The relevant authority’ means the Secretary of State in England.
2. 2. ‘The Regulations’ means the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 (as amended).
3. 3. ‘Animal’ means a ruminating animal or camelid. Ruminating animals include but are not limited to cattle, sheep, goats, deer. Camelids include but are not limited to llamas and alpacas.
4. 4. A ‘bluetongue restricted zone’ means a restricted zone (RZ under regulations 13 and 13A of the Regulations.
5. 5. ‘Licensee’ means person moving animals under this licence.
6. 6. The requirements set out in this licence do not remove the user’s obligations under The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) (No. 3) Order 2003 (SI No, 1724) to cleanse and disinfect the vehicle.
7. 7. All requirements of the Disease Control (England) Order 2003 (as amended) (SI No.1729) and licences under that Order must be met.
8. 8. All movements are subject to the animal being properly identified in compliance with the current livestock identification regulations for the species and accompanied by the appropriate duly completed movement documentation. Movements must comply with routine movement standstill and reporting requirements.
9. 9. A person moving anything under the authority of this licence must, if asked to do so by an inspector, or other officer of the Secretary of State give their name and address, produce the consignment note and allow copies or an extract to be taken.
10. 10. The insecticide applied to vehicles used to transport animals moved under the authority of this licence must be effective against flying insects, ideally Culicoides (midges), and applied as per the manufacturer’s instructions. It should ideally contain the active ingredients: pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroids. Ideally, they should be used in a spray format and be suitable for use indoors. It must be currently authorised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a biocidal product for use in the UK.
11. The licensee should check and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for the conditions of use of any products applied to the vehicles used to transport animals being moved under the authority of this licence.
12. 11. If on completion of emergency veterinary treatment you are unable to return directly to the source premises as required by condition 7, you must contact APHA Licensing at outbreak.licensing@apha.gov.uk for instructions.
13. 12. Record keeping systems must be in place to ensure that all movements can be traced from the source premises to the destination premises.
14. 13. If you suspect notifiable disease in England, you must report this immediately to Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
15. 14. 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.