As of 26 March, the government has eased pre-movement testing. These exemptions will remain in place until 23 April, although they will remain under review.

Within this timeframe, testing of non-breeding animals over the age of 60 days before being moved out of the restricted zone, is not required.

Pre-movement testing is only applicable to:

• entire males intended for breeding
• females that are pregnant or have unknown pregnancy status
• youngstock if they are aged 60 days or younger at the time of the movement, unless they are travelling at foot with the maternal dam – in this case, you can test the maternal dam by PCR and ELISA.

More detail is available at: GOV.UK | Bluetongue: news, information and guidance for livestock keepers

Movements out of restricted zones

Specific movement licences are still required for animals moving out of the RZ (restricted zone). Farmers are urged to only move animals within the RZ where this is absolutely necessary. Any movement carries risk of disease spread.

Movement restrictions apply to:

• all ruminants and camelids moving out of the zone and,
• to the movement of their germinal products within the zone.

Moving to market

Animals may be moved into a market within the zone, but on leaving the market cannot be moved to premises out of the zone.

Moves to markets outside the zones are not currently allowed, except to approved ‘red’ (slaughter) markets.

If you would like to move and sell animals originating from bluetongue restricted zones through slaughter market outside the zone you must:

• Ensure the market is approved. Currently approved slaughter markets can be found at: GOV.UK | Bluetongue approved slaughter markets and designated breeding sales.
• Comply with the condition of general licence EXD627(E) for movements to an approved market
• Follow conditions of the general licence EXD628 (E) for movements from approved slaughter markets to the abattoir for immediate slaughter.

General licences

Animals within the TCZ, RZ or outside of the zones (FA) are allowed to move under general licence to other premises within the restricted zone. This includes to abattoirs within the RZ.

EXD603 (E)	is the general licence for movements of animals kept within an RZ, PZ (protection zone) or SZ (surveillance zone) to a designated slaughterhouse in England or Wales, for the purpose of immediate slaughter.
EXD602 (E)	is the general licence for movements of animals from within a bluetongue TCZ to a designated slaughterhouse in England for the purposes of immediate slaughter.
EXD601 (E)	is the general licence for movements of animals from FA or TCZ (same area as slaughterhouse) to a slaughterhouse located in a TCZ in England for the purpose of immediate slaughter.
EXD627 (E)	is the general licence for movements from a bluetongue zone to an approved ‘red market’ outside a bluetongue zone, for the purpose of direct sale to a designated slaughterhouse or restricted zone slaughterhouse for immediate slaughter
EXD628 (E)	is the general licence for movements from an approved ‘red market’ to a designated slaughterhouse or restricted zone slaughterhouse for immediate slaughter.

Animals can also move to live either within the same TCZ or from FA to TCZ under these general licences:

EXD610 (E)	for movements of susceptible animals between premises which are wholly or partly inside a TCZ in England.
EXD611 (E)	for movements of susceptible animals from a free area into a TCZ.
EXD612 (E)	is the general licence published to overcome legal restrictions that would otherwise prevent movement of animals. This does not remove any obligations to comply with BTV movement restrictions and licences and does not permit the movement of animals out of a RZ.

General licences do not apply if your premises is under a bluetongue restriction notice. If you have been served a bluetongue premises or individual animal restriction notice and wish to move animals, you must apply for a specific licence.

The general licence for using the inactivated BTV-3 vaccine in England can be found at: GOV.UK | General licence for bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine.

For more information on general licences, visit: GOV.UK | Bluetongue movement licences and designated slaughterhouses – when you need to apply for a licence

Specific movement licences

Specific licences exempt you from disease control movement restrictions in England, Scotland and Wales. This covers any movement or activity within any current disease control zones that are not covered by a general licence.

When you might need a specific licence:

• If you need to move animals to live on premises outside of the RZ
• If you need to move germinal products from susceptible animals out of the zone, or you wish to freeze germinal products in the zone.

Applying for a specific licence:

If you need to move livestock from your holding, you should apply for a specific licence online using the licensing portal on GOV.UK. Visit: GOV.UK | Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions.

Specific licences for farmers within an RZ and with tracings are available via the licensing portal.

Find out more about bluetongue movement licences at: GOV.UK | Bluetongue: apply for a specific movement licence.

For help completing an application, or if you are unable to access the service and need to request an EXD100 form, contact APHA:  

Phone: 03000 200 301
Email: customeradvice@apha.gov.uk

Each movement licence is subject to its own risk assessment, meaning it can take up to five days for a licence to be granted.

Temporary land association and temporary county parish holding

When applying for a specific licence, it is important that the correct TLA and tCPH is in place.

For more information, visit: BTV – preparing for bluetongue on farm | Temporary land associations