Statutory guidance

General licence to move germinal product from a restricted zone to Scotland or Wales (EXD656 (SW))

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 germinal product which is moving from within a restricted zone to a destination outside the restricted zone in Scotland or Wales.

This licence is valid from 4:28pm on 17 July 2025.

Signed: Alessandra Sibra, Veterinary Inspector

Date: 17 July 2025

Time: 4:28pm

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. The movement of germinal product shall be from a premises located within a bluetongue restricted zone to a premises in Scotland or Wales.
2. 2. For the purposes of this licence germinal products which is authorised to move is that which meets the following conditions:
   1. a. The germinal product must comply with either condition (b) or (c) below, and must have been stored separately from any restricted germinal product;
   2. b. The germinal product was produced more than 60 days before the last day on which there was no bluetongue zone covering the location where the donor animal was present;
   3. c. The germinal product was collected from an animal that has not been present in a bluetongue zone in the previous 60 days.
3. 3. Germinal product which does not meet the requirements of condition 2 must not be moved under this licence.
4. 4. Germinal product authorised to move under this licence must be frozen prior to the movement.
5. 5. The germinal product must be kept separate from other germinal product, with auditable records to prove the collection occurred more than 60 days before. Evidence must be provided to APHA upon request to demonstrate when the germinal product collection took place if it was before a bluetongue zone was imposed.
6. 6. The germinal product should be stored appropriately in a straw or another isolated, labelled, container (e.g. a Hexi goblet). Where semen pellets are used only semen from the same donor animal should be stored in the same can/goblet.
7. 7. The licensee must ensure that accurate and auditable records are kept for the duration of the germinal product storage. These records must be retained for a minimum of two years.
8. Records should include:
   1. • the animal identification number of the donor animal.
   2. • the date the sample was collected.
   3. • the quantity of germinal product collected.
9. 8. When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry a consignment note.
10. The consignment note must include:
    1. • the donor details (animal ID) of the germinal product being moved,
    2. • the date of the collection and 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 relevant authority’ means the Secretary of State in England.
2. 2. ‘The Regulations’ means the Bluetongue (England) Regulations 2008 (as amended).
3. 3. ‘Germinal product’ means Embryo, Ova and Semen.
4. 4. ‘Embryo’ means fertilised eggs collected from a donor female from a bovine, ovine, caprine or other susceptible species.
5. 5. ‘Ova’ means unfertilised eggs collected from a donor female from a bovine, ovine, caprine or other susceptible species.
6. 6. ‘Semen’ means semen collected from a donor male from a bovine, ovine, caprine or other susceptible species.
7. 7. “Restricted germinal product” means semen, ova or embryo produced from an animal in a bluetongue restricted zone where the donor animal has not tested negative for bluetongue, or semen, ova or embryo collected from an animal that was present in a bluetongue zone (except for transiting non-stop) at any time or within the 60 days before the zone was declared and where the donor animal has not tested negative for bluetongue.
8. 8. You can check if a restricted zone was in place.
9. 9. Storing germinal products separately means processed in a separate area and stored in a separate liquid nitrogen container that does not allow the possibility of transfer of BTV from germinal products not conforming to the licence conditions.
10. 10. Freezing of germinal product within a bluetongue zone is prohibited except under licence or at a designated premises. This cannot be permitted under this licence.
11. 11. All requirements of the Disease Control (England) Order 2003 (as amended) (SI No.1729) and licences under that Order must be met.
12. 12. All requirements under current GB legislation for germplasm must be met.
13. 13. All movements are subject to the germinal product being properly identified and accompanied by the appropriate duly completed movement documentation.
14. 14. A person moving anything under the authority of this licence must, if asked to do so by an inspector, or other officer of the relevant authority, give their name and address, produce the consignment note and allow copies or an extract to be taken.
15. 15. Record keeping systems must be in place to ensure that all movements can be traced from the source premises to the destination premises.
16. 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.
17. 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.