Statutory guidance

General licence to move animals from within a bluetongue restricted zone to a designated slaughterhouse in Scotland (EXD603(EW))

Published 1 June 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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

I, being an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers for the purposes of the above regulations, permit, subject to the conditions set out in the Schedule attached, the movement of animals from a premises within a restricted zone direct to a designated slaughterhouse in Scotland.

This licence comes into force from 12:00 on 1 June 2026, and revokes:

General licence to move animals from a bluetongue restricted zone to Scotland (EXD662(EW)), valid from 6 November 2025

Veterinary Inspector:

Signed by: Karim Hachimi

Date: 10:30 1 June 2026

Veterinary Inspector appointed by Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers

Schedule of conditions

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

1. 1. The movement of animals shall be from a premises located within a bluetongue restricted zone in England or Wales to a designated slaughterhouse in Scotland
2. 2. The source premises must not:
   1. a. be under a specific bluetongue restriction notice
   2. b. have animals suspected of having bluetongue at the time of the movement
3. 3. The destination slaughterhouse at condition 1 must be in Scotland and be designated to slaughter animals in accordance with article 18 of The Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012.
4. 4. The journey permitted under this licence is the entire journey from the animal leaving the source premises to arriving at the destination slaughterhouse. The conditions of this licence apply to all involved in the movements under this licence including moves to collection centre or sale in England or Wales.
5. 5. Prior to leaving the source premises the licensee must arrange an arrival time with the slaughterhouse operator to ensure the animals can be slaughtered as soon as possible, or in any case within 24 hours of arrival. Where the movement is from a sale or collection centre market, this clause applies prior to the departure from there.
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 at the source premises displays signs that may be indicative of bluetongue infection, the animal should be kept isolated from the rest of the herd/flock, and this should be reported to APHA immediately. In such a case, no animal may be moved off the holding of origin under this licence. If signs of bluetongue are identified while the animals are at a collection centre or sale, neither the individual animal showing clinical signs nor any animals which travelled with it to that sale or collection centre shall be moved to Scotland under this licence.
7. 7. The licensee must ensure that prior to loading animals, and after unloading of animals prior to the vehicle leaving the destination slaughterhouse, the following requirements 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 subparagraph b) below.
   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
   4. d. all persons relying on this licence should be satisfied that this has been done
8. 8. 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 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.
9. 9. Once the animals enter Scotland, the movement must be direct and through a route considered to be the quickest available. Animals must only be unloaded at the designated slaughterhouse of destination. No further drop-offs or pick-ups are permitted after the animals left the restricted zone, even if picking up or dropping off animals which are not originated in a restricted zone.
10. 10. Single or multiple pick-ups are permitted in a restricted zone and may only take place on the periphery of premises using the approved methods described below:
    1. a. Tailgating
    2. b. Use of pens
    3. c. Temporary pens
11. 11. Subject to the conditions outlined in the relevant general licence for the movement of cattle or sheep and goats, 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
12. 12. The licensee must retain, for a minimum period of 2 years records of:
    1. a. The number of animals moved and their identification numbers
    2. b. Any insecticides used

13. 13. Record keeping systems must be in place to ensure that all movements can be traced from the source premises to the destination premises.

14. 14. When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry 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 of the consignee, and
    6. f. the address of the premises of destination.

Notes

1. A licence is not required for slaughter within the restricted zone. This license is required for movements from:
   • Source premises within a restricted zone to a designated slaughterhouse within Scotland
   • A collection centre or sale within a restricted zone for onwards transport to a designated slaughterhouse within Scotland.
2. “The Regulations” means The Bluetongue Regulations 2008 (as amended) in relation to England, and The Bluetongue (Wales) Regulations 2008 (as amended) in relation to Wales.
3. “Animal” means a ruminating animal or camelid. Ruminating animals includes but is not limited to cattle, sheep, goats and deer. Camelid includes camels, llamas and alpacas.
4. A “Restricted Zone” means a restricted zone declared under regulation 13 of the bluetongue Regulations
5. If animals are unsold at market they can return to the source premises, but they must observe standstill rules in line with the Disease Control (England) Order 2003 (as amended) and/or the Disease Control (Wales) Order 2003 (as amended) where applicable.
6. 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.
7. Annex B (multiple pick-ups and drop-offs) and C (scheduled stops) from the general licence under the Disease Control Orders in GB for the movement of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, as mentioned in conditions 9, 10 and 11 can be found on gov.uk: General licence for the movement of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs: annex A to C
8. 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 (as amended), or the equivalent legislation in Scotland and Wales, to cleanse and disinfect the vehicle.
9. Movements must comply with routine movement standstill and reporting requirements.
10. 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, produce the consignment note and allow copies or an extract to be taken. The relevant authority means the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers or the Welsh Ministers in England, Scotland or Wales respectively.
11. All requirements of the Disease Control (England) Order 2003 (as amended), or the equivalent in Scotland and Wales, and any applicable licences issued under those Orders, must be met.
12. 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. If you suspect notifiable disease in Scotland, contact your local APHA field office on:

• Ayr - 03000 600 703
• Galashiels - 03000 600 711
• Inverness - 03000 600 709
• Inverurie - 03000 600 708
• Perth - 03000 600 704

1. 13. All other relevant legislation must be complied with.
2. 14. Contact the APHA on the number provided above or your Local Authority (LA) for further advice on biosecurity measures and any other legislation that may apply.

Any person who contravenes a provision of this licence made under the regulations shall commit an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment not exceeding 3 months or to both.