Statutory guidance

General licence to move breeding cattle from a bluetongue restricted zone to a final destination in the free area of Scotland to live (EXD697(GB))

Updated 23 September 2026

This statutory guidance was withdrawn on 5 October 2026

This licence is out of date and has been archived. See the current bluetongue movement licences.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This licence allows, subject to compliance with conditions of the licence, the movement of breeding cattle out of a bluetongue restricted zone to a final destination in the free area of Scotland to live.

This licence comes into force from 08:00 on 22/09/2026 and revokes the previous version of this licence which came into force at 14:30 on 9 September 2026.

Signed: Karim Hachimi

Date: 22 September 2026

Time: 8am

Veterinary Inspector appointed by Secretary of State, Scottish ministers and the Welsh ministers.

Schedule of Conditions

General conditions

1. 1. The movement of cattle authorised by this licence shall be of breeding cattle as defined in note 6 from a restricted zone in England, Wales or Scotland to a final destination in the free area of Scotland.

Either

2. The movement is from a restricted zone to the free area of Scotland and the animals are accompanied by an EXD645(GB) form pack, that confirms all animals:

have evidence of a valid negative PCR test in accordance with condition 4a

and/or (as applicable)

evidence of vaccine purchase and administration in accordance with condition 4b

Or

3. The movement is from a sale or collection centre in a restricted zone and, either: - Box 1 (appended to this Schedule of Conditions) is endorsed by a representative of the sale or collection centre, confirming that all animals to be moved under this licence originate from a restricted zone, and are specified in a EXD645(GB) form pack in accordance with condition 5, indicating compliance with conditions 4a and 4b as applicable.

Or

Box 2 (appended to this Schedule of Conditions) is endorsed by a representative of the sale or collection centre, confirming that the animals to be moved under this licence originated from the free area of Scotland, were unloaded at the gathering after sunrise and were loaded prior to sunset before immediate departure to the free area of Scotland on the same day.

4. All animals moved under this licence must: * a) have evidence of a valid negative PCR test in accordance with conditions 8 to 9, and/or * b) evidence of vaccine purchase and administration in accordance with condition 10

5. Any person moving animals under the authority of this licence must demonstrate condition 4 is met by completing the EXD645 form pack and uploading it along with relevant testing or vaccination evidence to the APHA portal in accordance with note 2 to 5.

6. The licensee must notify the keeper at the destination premises in the free area of Scotland, or the operator of the sale or collection centre, that these animals originate from a restricted zone and provide them with a copy of the EXD645 form pack.

7. Immediately prior to the move, the licensee must ensure the animals to be moved under the authority of this licence are inspected 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: * a) this must be reported to APHA immediately * b) the animal must be isolated from the rest of the herd/flock; and * c) that animal may not be moved under this licence

Testing

8. Where condition 4(a) refers, animals to be moved under authority of this licence, which are not vaccinated in accordance with condition 10 above, must have undergone testing by PCR for bluetongue virus with negative results returned prior to the movement taking place.

9. The date of sampling for the negative test in condition 8 must be no more than 7 calendar days prior to the movement to Scotland. See note 13.

Vaccination

10. Where conditions 4(b) refers, breeding cattle can be moved under this licence without a PCR test referred in condition 8, if: * a) the animal has been vaccinated with Bultavo-3 in accordance with the datasheet, and * b) 21 days has elapsed since the second injection of the primary course, and/or * c) the animal has been boosted within a year of completion of the primary course if applicable, and * d) in the case of females pregnant at the time of the movement, the period in sub-condition 10(b) above was completed prior to conception date (see note 7)

Documentation and record keeping

11. This licence and the EXD645 form pack must accompany the animals. Electronic copies are permitted as long as filled in and signed where required.

12. The licensee must retain, for a minimum period of two years records of: * • the number of animals moved and their identification numbers * • proof of any BTV vaccines and/or BTV tests and the result of the tests * • consignment notes written under condition 13

13. When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry with them a consignment note. The consignment note must be kept by the licensee for two years and include: * a) the species and number of animals being moved * b) the official ID of all animals moved * c) the date of the movement * d) the name of the consignor * e) the address of the premises from which the movement started (the sale or collection centre) * f) the name and address of the consignee, and * g) the name, address and CPH number of the premises of destination

Annex – for completion by the sale or collection centre representative

I, the market or collection centre representative, confirm that animals in the lots listed below and being moved under this licence and originating from a restricted zone are accompanied by an EXD645(GB) form pack listing the appropriate PCR and/or vaccination as set out in conditions 8 to 10.

Box 1 (strike through if not applicable)

I, the market or collection centre representative, confirm that animals in the lots listed below and being moved under this licence and originating from the restricted zone are accompanied by an EXD645(GB) form pack listing the appropriate vaccination and/or as set out in conditions 4 to 5 and 8 to 10.

Animal Lot number(s):
EXD645(GB) licence reference number(s):
Signature:
Name (print):
Role:
Date:

Box 2 (strike through if not applicable)

I, the market or collection centre representative, confirm that animals in the lots listed below and being moved under this licence originated from the free area of Scotland  were unloaded at the gathering after sunrise and were loaded prior to sunset before immediate departure to the free area of Scotland on the same day.

Animal Lot number(s):
Date of arrival to the RZ:
Date of return from the RZ:
Signature:
Name (print):
Role:
Date:

Notes

1. This licence is signed by a veterinary inspector, as a member of staff of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), who is: * a) appointed by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 * b) appointed by the Welsh ministers for the purposes of the Bluetongue (Wales) Regulations 2008 and * c) in relation to the powers of the Scottish ministers in the Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012, appointed by the Secretary of State, who acts on behalf of the Scottish ministers under an Agency Agreement between the Scottish ministers and the Secretary of State, in relation to which the Secretary of State exercises specified functions of the Scottish ministers relating to animal health and welfare

2. A EXD645 form is applied for through APHA prior to moving an animal from a restricted zone to the free area of Scotland. A keeper must complete the form with details of animals that are to be moved and uploading evidence (as applicable) of:

• negative testing results
• vaccination purchase
• vaccine dosage records

3. In the same EXD645 it is possible to have vaccinated animals as well as tested animals as long as each individual animal can demonstrate compliance. It is recommended that anyone moving pregnant bovines that they can demonstrate the date of service or conception as defined in note 9, if asked the buyer or by a sale representative.

4. A copy of the EXD645 form and the evidence must accompany the animals in paper or on an electronic format.

5. Where animal vaccination information has been uploaded on ScotEID (for Scottish animals only), evidence of vaccine purchase and vaccine dosage records do not need uploaded on the APHA portal, but the EXD645 form still requires to be completed and uploaded on the APHA portal. Sale or collection centres with ScotEID access can verify the vaccination records in this manner.

6. In the case of movement through a market/collection centre, the market operator can provide the EXD645 form pack to a new keeper for assurance that licence conditions have been met, prior to animals continuing onto a final destination in Scotland (or elsewhere). If the animals under an EXD645 are split into different lots for different destinations in the free area of Scotland, the EXD645 must accompany all animals and electronic copies are permitted.

7. “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.

8. “Breeding cattle” anywhere in this licence means breeding bulls and pregnant cows or heifers. It does not mean store, fat or cull stock, or non-pregnant females, nor young entire bulls intended for fattening.

9. “Resident in the RZ” and “conception date”, for the purposes of condition 10(d) only, mean: * a) animals are considered resident at the time of conception if if they have be present in the RZ at the time of insemination or of running with bull, and . * b)the conception date is  the date of successful insemination, or the last date cows/heifers ran with the bull. This date should be written against the animal if relevant, in the respective column of the EXD645(GB).

Resident, pregnant females must have been fully vaccinated prior to  conception to minimise the risk of giving birth to viraemic calves.

10. A “bluetongue restricted zone” is an area declared as a restricted zone under the Bluetongue Regulations 2008, the Bluetongue (Wales) Regulations 2008 or the Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012.

11. The “free area” of Scotland means the area of Scotland not subject to bluetongue restrictions under the Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012.

12. With respect to testing:

1. “RT-PCR” means ‘reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction’, which is a molecular diagnostic technique, used to detect the presence of bluetongue virus.

2. “ELISA” means ‘enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay’, which is an immunological technique, used to detect antibodies against bluetongue virus.

13. Where condition 9 refers, samples for PCR test are valid for 7 days. For avoidance of doubt, this means if samples were taken – for instance – on a Saturday, the animals could move on a negative result until the end of next Saturday.

14. “Sale or Collection centre” means a location at which animals are gathered for one or more of the following purposes: a) a sale, show or exhibition b) collection for onward consignment within Great Britain c) inspection to confirm the animals possess specific breed characteristics

15. “Licensee” means the person moving animals under this licence.

16. 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) nor under The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Wales) (No. 3) Order 2003 nor under The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Scotland) Regulations 2005, to cleanse and disinfect the vehicle.

17. All requirements of the Disease Control (England) Order 2003 (as amended), the Disease Control (Wales) Order 2003 (as amended), or the Disease Control (Interim measures) (Scotland) Order 2002 (as amended) and licences under those Orders must be met.

18. 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, Scottish ministers or of the Welsh ministers, give their name and address, produce the consignment note and allow copies or an extract to be taken.

19. The Private Veterinary Surgeon must undertake testing under this licence in line with the sampling instructions on Improve International. It is further strongly recommended that samples submitted to the laboratory are booked with a fast courier as all well as following all the recommendations about correct packaging and clear labelling and paperwork. More details can be found on the Scottish Government website.

20. It is strongly recommended that any animals moved under this licence are isolated after arriving at their destination in the free area of Scotland and monitored for any signs of bluetongue, including arranging privately for a post-movement test.

21. If you suspect of a notifiable disease, you must immediately report this by contacting APHA by telephone (Monday to Sunday, 24 hours):

• England: 03000 200 301
• Scotland: 03000 600 704
• Wales: 03003 038 268

22. 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.

23. This licence does not override any other existing movement restrictions on animals under other legislation, and all other relevant legislation must be complied with.

24. Contact the APHA on the number provided above or your local authority for further advice on biosecurity measures and any other legislation that may apply.

Any person who contravenes any requirement of a licence granted under the Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012, the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 (as amended) or The Bluetongue (Wales) Regulations 2008 (as amended),is committing an offence and may be liable on summary conviction to a level 5 fine on the standard scale or to 3 months imprisonment or both.