Statutory guidance

General licence to move germinal product from a restricted zone to Scotland (EXD656(GB))

Updated 17 September 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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

The general licence EXD656 dated 10 November 2025 is hereby revoked and replaced by this general licence with effect from 15:00 pm on 16 September 2026.

Signed by: Karim Hachimi

Date: 16 September 2026

Time: 15:00pm

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

Schedule of conditions

General conditions

1. 1. This licence covers the movement of germinal products (GP) as defined in note 2, from a premises in a bluetongue restricted zone (RZ) to the free area of Scotland. See notes 3 and 4 for definitions.
2. 2. Any GP moved under this licence must be handled and kept separate from any other GP of a different health status including during transport and storage. See note 5 for further details.
3. 3. The licensee must ensure that accurate and auditable records are kept for the duration of storage of the GP. These records must be retained for a minimum of two years from the date of collection.
4. 4. The records set out in condition 3 should include:
   1. a. the animal identification number of the donor animal
   2. b. the date the sample was collected
   3. c. the quantity of GP collected
   4. d. the dates and results of any bluetongue testing undertaken on the donor animal
   5. e. if relevant, the date that GP from donor animals who subsequently returned bluetongue RT-PCR and/or serology positive results was destroyed, and the method of destruction
5. 5. When moving anything under the authority of this licence, a person must carry a consignment note. The consignment note must include:
   1. a. the animal identification number of the donor animal GP being moved
   2. b. the date of the collection and 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
   6. f. the address of the premises of destination
6. 6. GP moved under this licence must have been frozen prior to the movement.
7. 7. Donor animals must not show any clinical sign of bluetongue on the day of collection.

Testing conditions

Either

1. 8. The GP was collected from a donor animal subject to blood testing for bluetongue virus by RT-PCR of samples taken at least 6 full days and no more than 34 full days after collection of the GP, and the result was negative.

Or

1. 9. The GP was collected from a donor animal subject to blood testing for bluetongue antibodies by ELISA of samples taken at least 28 full days and no more than 60 full days after collection of the GP, and the result was negative.
2. 10. If any test returns a positive result, then the associated germinal product unless under specific license must be isolated and destroyed in accordance with the relevant protocols the donor animal will be placed under restriction and an epidemiological veterinary investigation will be initiated to determine further action.

Further conditions for germinal product collected in England or Wales

1. 11. For bovine ova or embryo only:
   1. a. The bovine ova and/or embryos must be collected, processed and stored under the control of an APHA approved production team.
   2. b. The ova and/or embryos moved under this licence must have been collected from an authorised donor cow with an active authorisation on an unlicenced premises and comply with the Bovine Embryo (Collection, Production and Transfer) Regulations 1995 for collection, transport, processing and storage.
2. 12. For bovine semen only:
   1. a. Donor bulls must be authorised in accordance with the Bovine Semen Regulations England (2007) (as amended) for semen collection in England, or the Bovine Semen (Wales) Regulations (2008) (as amended) for semen collection in Wales.
   2. b. Bovine semen moved under this licence must have been collected from an authorised donor bull with an active authorisation on an unlicenced premises and comply with the Bovine Semen (England) Regulations 2007 (as amended) for semen collection in England, or the Bovine Semen (Wales) Regulations (2008) (as amended) for semen collection in Wales.

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:
   • appointed by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the Bluetongue Regulations 2008,
   • appointed by the Welsh Ministers for the purposes of the Bluetongue (Wales) Regulations 2008 and,
   • 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. “Germinal product” (GP) means semen, embryos or ova from ruminant animals or camelids, other than wild animals, which are susceptible to infection with bluetongue virus. Ruminant animals include but are not limited to cattle, sheep, goats and deer. Camelid includes camels, llamas and alpacas.
3. 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. They can be consulted on the interactive map.
4. The “free area” of Scotland means the area of Scotland not subject to bluetongue restrictions under the Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012.
5. Separation of GPs means processing in a separate area and storing in a separate liquid nitrogen container, as well as strict hygiene to prevent cross contamination. During transport or storage, straws must be kept appropriately within an isolated, labelled, container (for example, a ‘hexi’ goblet). Where semen pellets are used, only semen from the same donor animal should be stored in the same can/goblet.
6. For avoidance of doubt, donor animals at a designated collection centre in collection for an extended period or continuously which are tested by PCR for bluetongue virus every 28 days during the collection period are covered by meeting condition 8.
7. Germinal product intended to be moved under this licence must not be used until all required bluetongue tests have returned a negative result. In the event of a positive test, any germinal product at risk from that donor will need to be isolated from other germinal product and destroyed, unless in exceptional circumstances. Positive results will be reported to the owner by APHA who will determine the next steps.
8. “RT-PCR” means ‘reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction’, which is a molecular diagnostic technique, used to detect the presence of bluetongue virus.
9. “ELISA” means ‘enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay’, which is an immunological technique, used to detect antibodies against bluetongue virus.
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 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.
11. Testing of donors for bluetongue under this licence must be 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.
12. If you suspect notifiable disease in you must immediately report this by contacting APHA by telephone (open 24/7): - England: 03000 200 301 - Scotland: 03000 600 704 - Wales: 03003 038 268
13. 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.
14. Nothing in this licence removes the user’s obligations under the Bovine Embryo (Collection, Production and Transfer) Regulations 1995.
15. Nothing in this licence removes the user’s obligations under the Bovine Semen (England) 2007 Regulations (as amended) for semen collection in England, or the Bovine Semen (Wales) Regulations (2008) (as amended) for semen collection in Wales.
16. This licence does not override any other existing movement restrictions on animals under other legislation, and all other relevant legislation must be complied with.
17. 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.