Bluetongue: Movement guidance and licences
Bluetongue disease control restrictions are in place.
The Bluetongue (BTV8) Protection Zone covers all of England, Wales and Scotland and is part of the larger European BTV8 Restricted Zone which includes Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and parts of France.
Movements are permitted within this confluent zone, but export rules apply. To move livestock out of the protection zone you will need to meet International Trade requirements as as set out in EU Bluetongue Regulations. Please see links below for further details. Remember to consider the risks and check the health and vaccination status of animals when sourcing any animals, from within the UK or abroad.
Purpose of the Protection Zone
The purpose of the Protection Zone is to control Bluetongue and facilitate exports. It is based on our contingency plans and continued work with the industry.
It is important to remember that more than one set of rules may apply when moving livestock.
When is a licence necessary?
If the journey involves transiting across a Zone, i.e. into a Zone and out it without stopping, you will need a licence:
- Vaccine
- if you need to obtain BTV8 vaccine from wholesalers/manufacturers, you will need a licence (EXD 487)
- if you need to vaccinate your animals against BTV8 you will need a licence (EXD 488).
Movement guidance
The EU Commission Regulation 1266/2007 on Bluetongue allows the movement of ruminant animals, including camelids (llamas, alpaca, guanaco and vicuñas), out of the protection under certain conditions. This is to minimise the risk of infected animals moving to a disease-free area.
Animal keepers wishing to undertake such moves must consider the guidance below, which outlines the types of moves permitted and the conditions that must be met.
- Guidance for moving Sheep and Cattle out of the Protection Zone.
- Guidance for moving susceptible animals other than Cattle and Sheep out of the Protection Zone.
- Guidance for moving Semen, Ova and Embryos out of the Protection Zone.
For further information on Export please visit the International Trade website.
NOTE: To meet protected from vector attack conditions will need to meet the criteria set out in the guidance for both keepers and private vets.
- Criteria for protection from vector attack (PDF 23 KB)
Licences
Check the licence conditions carefully to ensure you comply with them all. The following licences on this page apply to England only. For licences that apply to Wales please see the Welsh Assembly Government website. For licences that apply to Scotland please see the Scottish Government website.
Vaccination
| Subject | Licence number | Last updated | Title |
| Obtaining vaccine | EXD487(BT) | 12/12/08 | General licence for obtaining BTV8 vaccine from manufacturers or wholesalers |
| Vaccination of animals | EXD488(BT) | 30/04/08 | General licence to vaccinate animals against Bluetongue (BTV8) |
Transit through Bluetongue Zones
| Subject | Licence number | Last updated | Title |
| Transit through the Restricted Zone | EXD467(BT) | 14/10/08 | General licence for the movement of ruminant animals from premises in an area free from Bluetongue restrictions through the Restricted Zone to another area free from Bluetongue restrictions |
| Transit through an area free from restrictions | EXD468(BT) | 14/07/08 | General licence for the movement of ruminant animals from premises in a Restricted Zone through an area free from Bluetongue restrictions to a Restricted Zone |
Page last modified: 19 May, 2009