Bluetongue BTV-3: Changes to cross border movement restrictions from 21st September 2025

The list below illustrates those animals that are exempt from vaccination or pre-movement testing, and those that are not exempt, when moving from England into Scotland. 

Exempt Animals 

Those that do not require vaccination or a pre-movement test to move from England into Scotland.

• Store animals
• Fattening animals
• Slaughter animals
• Female sheep or goats (even if pregnant)
• Non-pregnant female cattle, deer, or camelids
• Male breeding sheep (Tups/Rams)
• Animals moved under the EXD657(E) - For specified sales within the restricted zone of livestock sourced only from the “free areas” (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) 

Non-Exempt Animals 

Those that require a pre-movement test or vaccination before moving into Scotland. 

• Entire breeding males of any susceptible species (except sheep) e.g.:
  • Bulls
  • Bucks/Billy goats
  • Stags/studs etc
• Pregnant deer or camelids
• Pregnant cows or heifers 

Vaccinated cattle must have completed a full primary vaccination course with Bultavo-3 and 21 days must have elapsed since administration of the second dose.

• No pre or post movement testing is required for exempt animals moving from England into Scotland.

• These animals must move under the conditions of the general license, EXD662(S). You do not need to apply to APHA for the licence, but you must adhere to the licence conditions.

   

• Vaccination is recommended for all species.
• It is strongly recommended that breeding tups/rams are either pre-movement tested before they move, or post movement tested once on the destination farm in Scotland. 

• These animals must have completed a full course of the Bultavo-3 vaccination where 21 days have elapsed since the second dose 

• OR be pre-movement tested, tested negative by a BTV PCR test within the 7 calendar days prior to the movement.

   

• All cows/heifers in the third trimester of pregnancy (i.e. those served more than 6 months prior to the movement), which are being pre-movement tested, must also have undergone additional BTV serology testing by ELISA, and receive negative results within the 7 calendar days prior to the movement. Both the ELISA and the PCR test should be requested at the time of submitting the samples to the lab.

   

• These animals must move under the conditions of the general license, EXD662(S). You do not need to apply to APHA for the licence, but you must adhere to the licence conditions, including requirements for vaccination or pre-movement testing for non-exempt animals. 

Animals moved must not have been present at a premises where cases of BTV have been confirmed in the 6 months prior to the movement, irrespective of whether specific animals intended to be moved are tested and found negative, or whether they were vaccinated.

The movement of animals that have originated in the restricted zone in England since May 2025, are moved into Scotland, and then on to a final destination in Wales is not permitted.

Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/bluetongue/pages/bluetongue-movement-restrictions-for-animals/

Or speak to your local auctioneer who will be able to advise. 

• These animals must move under the conditions of the general license, EXD661(E). You do not need to apply to APHA for the licence, but you must adhere to the licence conditions. 

• It is recommended that all buyers are provided with a copy of the EXD661(E) licence when intending to move animals over the border from England to Wales. 

   

• Vaccinated animals MUST have completed the full vaccination course.
• Vaccination Timelines:
  • For Bluevac-3 and Bultavo-3 the onset of immunity is 3 weeks (21 days) after completion of the primary vaccination scheme for sheep and cattle.

  • For Syvazul the onset of immunity is 4 weeks (28 days) after completion of the primary vaccination scheme for sheep, and 3 weeks for cattle.

     

• Vaccinated animals MUST arrive at the market with a completed vaccination declaration.
  • Declaration forms can be downloaded here: https://www.gov.wales/bluetongue-vaccination-declaration
  • Please be reminded that it is a requirement of vaccination that farmers MUST notify APHA once they have vaccinated their animals. Bluetongue vaccination can be reported here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-your-use-of-the-bluetongue-serotype-3-btv-3-vaccine
• The market invoices and sale notes MUST identify those animals/lots that have been sold with a farmer declaration stating that they have been vaccinated and/or pre-movement tested.

• Non-vaccinated livestock must be pre-movement tested and receive a negative result to leave England and move into Wales to live.
• Pre-movement tests are valid for 7 working days from the date of sampling.
  • The National Reference Laboratory (Pirbright) needs a minimum of 3 working days’ notice to turn a test around. The laboratory does not work on weekends so tests should be organised, and licence applications completed in good time.
• In addition, for all cattle in the third trimester of pregnancy (served more than 6 months prior to the movement), samples must have undergone serology testing by ELISA, for antibodies to the Bluetongue virus with negative results.

• Youngstock travelling at foot of the maternal dam do not require testing provided that the dam has tested negative. 

   

• These animals must move to the market in compliance with, and accompanied by, the specific licence, EXD597(SW). You must apply for the specific licence in advance, allowing at least 10 days for your application to be processed.  
• Animals must leave the market accompanied by, and in compliance with the EXD608(E) general licence direct to their onward destination. This license must be endorsed by the market operator before leaving the market to ensure the animal(s) have moved to the market in compliance with the specific licence.   

Restrictions for livestock designated for slaughter, moving from England into Wales remain unchanged.

• Slaughter livestock from within England, moving to a dedicated slaughter market within Wales, must be accompanied by, and in compliance with the general licence EXD603(E).
  • These animals do not require pre-movement testing or vaccination.
  • Following sale, animals must be moved directly to a designated slaughterhouse in Wales or Scotland, or a slaughterhouse within England, accompanied by, and in compliance with the general licence EXD628.

Animals moved must not have been present at a premises where cases of BTV have been confirmed in the 6 months prior to the movement, irrespective of whether specific animals intended to be moved are tested and found negative, or whether they were vaccinated.

For further information visit: https://www.gov.wales/bluetongue-policy-wales

Or speak to your local auctioneer who will be able to advise you on the changes. 

The LAA continues to represent the interests of auctioneers, livestock markets and British farmers in policy negotiations relating to the current BTV-3 Bluetongue outbreak.