Statutory guidance

General licence to move vaccinated animals from within the restricted zone to live in Wales outside a temporary control zone (EXD661(E))

Updated 15 October 2025

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This licence allows, subject to compliance with the conditions of the licence, the movement of vaccinated animals from within the bluetongue restricted zone in England, to premises outside the temporary control zone in Wales.

This licence is valid from midday on 21 September 2025.

Signed: Alba Barrecheguren, Veterinary Inspector

Date: 18 September 2025

Time: 4:47pm

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 animals authorised by this licence shall be from a premises located within the bluetongue restricted zone in England direct to a destination in Wales.
2. 2. No animal may move under authority of this licence unless the primary vaccination scheme of a bluetongue virus serotype 3 vaccination has been completed for that animal according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Any such animals must have received any revaccination as required by the product information datasheet, or if 6 months have elapsed since the completion date of primary vaccination. Summaries of product characteristics (SPCs) can be consulted on the Product Information Database. You must report using a BTV-3 vaccine for animals moving under authority of this licence.
3. 3. 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.
4. 4. The licensee must accurately record the animal movements from the premises of origin to the destination premises on the relevant animal movement platform including the animal identification number.
5. 5. Immediately prior to commencing the movement the licensee or their private veterinarian must inspect any animal to be moved under authority of this licence for clinical signs of bluetongue infection. If any animal inspected or other animal at the same premises displays signs that may be indicative of bluetongue infection, no animal may move from that premises under this licence. The animal displaying signs should be kept isolated from the rest of the herd/flock. You must report suspicion of bluetongue to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately.
6. 6. The licensee must ensure that prior to loading animals, the requirements of condition 8 are complied with.
7. 7. After unloading of animals, prior to the vehicle leaving the destination premises, the licensee must ensure the requirements of condition 8 are complied with.
8. 8. The requirements referred to in condition 6 and 7 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.
9. 9. 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
10. 10. 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 under this licence,
    3. c. Accurate destination premises of the animals moved.
    4. d. Any insecticides used for the purpose of condition 8.
11. 11. 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 county parish holding (CPH) number of the premises of destination.
12. 12. The move to the destination premises must be direct, by public highways, and by the route that is considered likely to be the quickest available.
13. 13. No pick-ups or drop-offs at other premises are permitted.
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.

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 ‘bluetongue restricted zone’ means a restricted zone declared under regulation 13 of the Regulations.
4. 4. ‘Licensee’ means person moving animals under this licence.
5. 5. This licence does not override any other existing movement restrictions on animals under other legislation.
6. 6. References to completion of a primary vaccination scheme of a bluetongue virus serotype 3 vaccine mean completion of vaccination using the recommended dosage in the product information datasheet, and require that the onset of immunity period has passed as follows:
   1. a. For Bluevac-3 and Bultavo-3 the onset of immunity is 3 weeks (21 days) after completion of the primary vaccination scheme for sheep and cattle.
   2. b. For Syvazul the onset of immunity is 4 weeks (28 days) after completion of the primary vaccination scheme for sheep, and 3 weeks for cattle.
7. 7. Youngstock travelling at foot of the maternal dam must also be vaccinated as per the product information datasheet or have been issued with a valid EXD597(E).
8. 8. Animals which meet the conditions of this licence are exempt from the requirement of a pre-movement test prior to leaving the restricted zone in England to a final destination in Wales. Such animals will not require any post-movement testing or restriction upon arrival at the destination premises in Wales.
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.

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. * 13. If you suspect notifiable disease in England, you must report this immediately to Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. If you suspect notifiable disease in Wales, you must report this immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03003 038 268. * 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.