Statutory guidance

General licence to move live animals from a specified sale within the bluetongue restricted zone in England, to a premises in Scotland (EXD 657 (E))

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 animals from a sale within the bluetongue restricted zone in England, to a destination premises in Scotland.

The general licence EXD657(S) which came into force on 25 July 2025 is hereby revoked and replaced by this general licence with effect from 00:01am on 21 September 2025.

Signed: Alba Barrecheguren, Veterinary Inspector

Date: 19 September 2025

Time: 4:16pm

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

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

1. 1. Box 1 (at the bottom of these licence conditions) is endorsed by a member of the auction mart in which the sale is taking place, confirming that the animals to be moved under this licence originated from a premises outside of a restricted zone, and attended a sale of animals sourced exclusively from outside a restricted zone.
2. 2. The movement of animals authorised by this licence is from a specified sale in England within a maximum range of ten miles from the border of Scotland to a premises in Scotland.
3. 3. Animals permitted to move under this licence must have remained inside the restricted zone for no more than 96 hours, including the time they spend in attendance at the sale premises, and must have not been otherwise present in a restricted zone since May 2025.
4. 4. The licensee must provide the operator of the sale the address of the destination premises for any animals moved under this licence. The licensee must also inform the operator of the sale of any amendments to the destination premises.
5. 5. The licensee must accurately record the animal movements from the sale to the destination premises on the relevant animal movement platform including the animal identification number.
6. 6. Immediately prior to the move, 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. That animal may not be moved under this licence.
7. 7. Once the animals are loaded to leave the sale and the journey has commenced, animals must not be unloaded until arrival at the destination premises (subject to condition 8).
8. 8. Subject to the conditions outlined in the ‘Disease Control Order 2003 General Licence for the movement of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs’, scheduled stops are permitted at the following locations:
   1. a. Motorway service stations
   2. b. Official lay-by (on a trunk/main road)
   3. c. Lorry park or similar place
9. 9. The licensee must retain, for a minimum period of 2 years records of:
   1. a. The number of animals moved under this licence,
   2. b. The identification numbers of the animals moved from the sale or collection centre under this licence,
   3. c. Accurate destination premises of the animals moved.
10. 10. 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 (the sale or collection centre),
    5. e. The name and address of the consignee, and
    6. f. The name, address and CPH number of the premises of destination.
11. 11. Animals must be isolated for ten days after arriving at the destination premises in Scotland and observed daily for any clinical signs of disease.
12. 12. The licensee must ensure prior to loading animals to leave the restricted zone that the following conditions are complied with:
    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.
13. 13. The licensee must retain, for a minimum period of 2 years records of:
    1. • The number of animals moved and their identification numbers.
    2. • Any insecticides used for the purpose of condition 12.
14. 14. 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.

Box 1 (strike through if not applicable)

I, a member of the auction mart in which the sale is taking place, confirm that animals in the lots listed below and being moved under this licence and originating from outside of a restricted zone have attended a specified sale for animals sourced exclusively from outside a restricted zone at a sale within 10 miles from the border of Scotland, and have not remained at the sale for more than 96 hours.

Animal lot numbers:

Signature:

Name (printed):

Role:

Date:

Explanatory notes

1. 1. ‘The Regulations’ means the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 (as amended).
2. 2. ‘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.
3. 3. A ‘restricted zone’ means a restricted zone declared under regulation 13 of the Regulations.
4. 4. ‘Sale’ means a sale defined as an animal gathering under the Animal Gatherings Order 2010 at a market premises licenced under article 5(1) of the Animal Gatherings Order 2010.
5. 5. ‘A specified sale’ means a sale that is operating within 10 miles of the Scottish border and only accepts animals originating from outside of a restricted zone, and that have not spent time in the restricted zone since May 2025, Markets will be provided with guidance for these sales, which they must adhere to.
6. 6. ‘Licensee’ means person moving animals under this licence.
7. 7. ‘Isolated’ means an affected animal or suspected animal is kept on premises or part of premises where:
   1. a. no space, drainage or manure storage is shared with bovine animals (other than other affected or suspected bovine animals) or other animals kept on the premises,
   2. b. no nose-to-nose contact is possible with bovine animals (other than other affected or suspected bovine animals) kept on the premises or adjoining premises, or other animals kept on the premises or adjoining premises, and
   3. c. where kept inside a building, the affected animals or suspected animals are also separated by an airtight barrier from bovine animals (other than other affected or suspected bovine animals) and other animals kept inside the building.
8. 8. Animals which meet the conditions of this licence are exempt from the requirement of a premovement test prior to leaving the market premises in the restricted zone in England to return to Scotland. Animals will also not require any post-movement testing.
9. 9. The requirements set out in this licence do not affect the user’s obligations under The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) (No. 3) Order 2003 to cleanse and disinfect the vehicle.
10. 10. All requirements of the Disease Control (England) Order 2003 (as amended) and licences under that Order must be met.
11. 11. 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.
12. 12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 13.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.
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.