Bluetongue: moving, freezing and storing germinal product
The rules to follow when you are moving, freezing or storing germinal product (semen, ova or embryo) in the bluetongue restricted zone.
Applies to England
References to ‘animals’ means ruminants (for example, cattle, sheep, goats and deer) and camelids (for example, llamas and alpacas).
References to ‘germinal product’ means semen, ova or embryo.
As of 1 July 2025, the whole of England is in a bluetongue restricted zone.
Moving germinal product
You can move fresh or frozen germinal product within the bluetongue restricted zone without a licence, as long as the donor animal does not have signs of bluetongue. This includes germinal product that was collected and frozen at a premises in England before 1 July.
You must not move or use germinal product collected from any animal showing signs of bluetongue until a veterinarian has assessed the animal.
Moving germinal product to Wales or Scotland
You need a licence to move germinal product out of the restricted zone to Wales or Scotland. Follow the guidance on:
Freezing germinal product
To freeze germinal product in the bluetongue restricted zone you must either:
- apply for a specific licence
- have it done at a designated premises for the collection and processing of germinal products
Regardless of whether the germinal product is being moved, when freezing germinal product you must test animals after collection by either:
- bluetongue PCR where the donor animal is sampled 6 to 28 days after collection
- bluetongue ELISA where the donor animal is sampled 28 to 60 days after collection – note that this option is not suitable for vaccinated animals
When you are collecting germinal product regularly from the same animal:
- if a collection period lasts longer than 28 days, you will need a PCR every 28 days with a negative result – the last PCR test must be sampled at least 6 days after the last collection date
- you must not use the collected germinal product until you have received the negative post-collection test result
All donor animals must comply with testing requirements.
Keepers are responsible for the cost of sampling, postage and testing.
You must clearly indicate RT-PCR and/or ELISA (antibody) testing for bluetongue virus and specify ‘germinal product freezing’ in bold at the top of the form.
Storing germinal product
You should quarantine germinal product collected from an animal whose bluetongue infection status is unknown from other germinal product until testing is complete and you have received negative results. You should store it separately in straws or another isolated container (such as a hexi-goblet). This avoids cross contamination.
If you are not using straws, the storage container should only contain product from one animal. The straw or container must have clear labelling and the licensee must keep auditable records.
A positive result will lead to an APHA veterinary investigation to determine what action is needed. The veterinary inspector will determine which germinal product must be destroyed and which might be eligible for use.
If cross contamination of the germinal product collected is suspected, this could result in the entire contents of a tank being destroyed.
Voluntary testing of donor animals
If your business would like to test donor animals, you can arrange private testing.
Designated premises
Any premises can be designated to collect, process, handle or store germinal product. These will normally be specialist artificial breeding centres or veterinary practices specialising in artificial breeding services.
To apply for designation, contact APHA at outbreak.designations@apha.gov.uk to request:
- a designation application form
- a separate form to detail how the business meets the designation conditions
If your premises regularly freezes and stores germinal product, you should, as a contingency apply for designation to minimise future disruption.
A full list of conditions is recorded on the designation application form. Conditions for designation include, but are not limited to:
- complying with germinal product donor animal testing regime
- following biosecurity measures to avoid cross contamination including quarantining and detaining the germinal product of unknown health status until has a negative test result
- permission to freeze germinal product
- clear germinal product labelling
- effective record keeping allowing traceability and audit
Updates to this page
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Added links to guidance on moving germinal product to Wales or Scotland. Also clarified guidance on moving germinal product that was collected and frozen before 1 July 2025.
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We have updated the rules for collecting, freezing and moving germinal product, now that the restricted zone covers the whole of England.
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This page has been updated to clarify the current requirements for movement and storage of germinal product in the event of a bluetongue outbreak.
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We have updated the information on this page for clarity.
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First published.