Statutory guidance

General licence to move sheep, non-breeding animals of other species and all slaughter animals from a bluetongue restricted zone to the free area of Scotland (EXD698(GB))

Published 10 September 2026

This licence allows, subject to compliance with the conditions of the licence, the movement of specified animals from a bluetongue restricted zone to the free area of Scotland.

This licence comes into force from 14:30 on 9 September 2026.

Signed: Karim Hachimi

Date: 9 September 2026

Time: 2:30pm

Legislation

This licence is made under Article 16(6) of the Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012, Regulation 13(2) of the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 (as amended) and Regulation 13 of the Bluetongue (Wales) Regulations 2008 (as amended).

Schedule of conditions

1. 1. This licence permits the movement of live sheep, non-breeding animals of other species and slaughter animals of all species, to a premises in the free area of Scotland from a bluetongue restricted zone (RZ) in Great Britain.
2. 2. 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 shows clinical signs of bluetongue infection:
   1. a. this must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (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.
3. 3. The movement, once in the free area of Scotland, must be direct to the destination premises in the free area. 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

Explanatory notes

1. 1. This licence is signed by a veterinary inspector, as a member of staff of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, who is:
   1. a. appointed by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the Bluetongue Regulations 2008,
   2. b. appointed by the Welsh Ministers for the purposes of the Bluetongue (Wales) Regulations 2008; and,
   3. 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. 2. 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.
3. 3. The free area of Scotland means the area of Scotland not subject to bluetongue restrictions under the Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012.
4. 4. In condition 1 “other species” means all ruminating animals or camelids, other than sheep or wild animals, which are susceptible to infection with bluetongue virus. Ruminating animals includes but is not limited to cattle, goats and deer. Camelid includes camels, llamas and alpacas.
5. 5. As specified in condition 1, non-breeding animals of “other species” can be moved in accordance with this licence. Breeding animals, including breeding bulls, pregnant cattle, stags, adult male camelids, pregnant deer and pregnant camelids are not permitted to move under this licence unless they are moved for slaughter.
6. 6. The requirements set out in this licence do not remove the user’s obligations under The Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Scotland) Regulations 2005, 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  to cleanse and disinfect the vehicle.
7. 7. All requirements of the Disease Control (Interim measures) (Scotland) Order 2002 (as amended), the Disease Control (England) Order 2003 (as amended), the Disease Control (Wales) Order 2003 (as amended) and licences under those Order must be met.
8. 8.  All movements are subject to the animals being properly identified and accompanied by the appropriate duly completed movement documentation. Movements must comply with routine movement standstill and reporting requirements.
9. 9.  A person moving anything under the authority of this licence must, if asked to do so by an inspector, or other officer of the Scottish Ministers, give their name and address, produce the consignment note and allow copies or an extract to be taken.
10. 10. The animals moving under authority of this licence are recommended to have the primary vaccination scheme of a bluetongue virus serotype 3 vaccination completed for that animal according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Any such animals are recommended to have received any revaccination as required by the product information datasheet. Summary of product characteristics (SPCs) can be consulted on by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
11. 11. 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, you must report this immediately to APHA on 03000 600 704.
12. 12. All other relevant legislation must be complied with.
13. 13. 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 a licence made under the Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012, the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 (as amended) or the Bluetongue (Wales) Regulations 2008 (as amended) 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 6 months or to both.