BTV-3 Bluetongue - Guidance for movements through markets

[Correct as of 19th May 2025]

The Seasonally Low Vector Period (SVLP) has been extended until 11:59pm on 12th June 2025, however, is subject to change. Until this date, the following restrictions apply for moving livestock for sale through a livestock market. The following information is applicable for movements within GB (England, Scotland and Wales).

Animals from within the Restricted Zone (RZ) moving to slaughter: 

• Moving animals from within the RZ - to a market within the RZ - and onto slaughter within the RZ.
  • Animals that will stay within the same restricted zone do not require a licence to move.
• Moving animals from within the RZ - to a market within the RZ - and onto slaughter to an abattoir outside of the RZ.
  • Animals from within the RZ, moving to a market within the RZ do not require a license to move.
  • Animals can only leave the market for slaughter outside of the RZ in compliance with general licence EXD634 and must move direct to a slaughterhouse. They cannot be moved to another premises for finishing.
  • No pre or post movement testing is required.
• Moving animals from within the RZ – to a market outside of the RZ – and onto slaughter in an abattoir inside or outside of the RZ.
  • Animals must move to the market in compliance with the conditions of, and accompanied by, the general licence EXD634.
  • No pre or post movement testing is required.
  • Animals can only leave the market in compliance with general licence EXD634 and must move direct to a slaughterhouse, inside or outside of the RZ. They cannot be moved to another premises for finishing.

In this case, the  market outside of the RZ must be either a dedicated red market (slaughter) sale, or a section of a green market sale that is dedicated to slaughter. The conditions of sale of livestock from within the RZ must require movement direct to a slaughterhouse. 

Animals outside of the Restricted Zone (RZ) moving to slaughter: 

• Moving animals from outside of the RZ – to a market outside of the RZ – and onto in an abattoir inside or outside of the RZ.
  • No restrictions apply to animals at a market outside the restriction zone if the animals originate from outside the RZ.
• Moving animals from outside of the RZ – to a market inside the RZ – and onto slaughter within the RZ.
  • Animals do not require a licence to move from outside of the RZ, to a market within the RZ.
  • Animals moving from a market within the RZ for slaughter at an abattoir within the RZ do not require a licence to move.
  • No pre or post movement testing is required.
• Moving animals from outside the RZ – to a market within the RZ – and back outside of the RZ for slaughter
  • Animals from outside of the RZ do not require a licence to enter a market within the RZ
  • Movements of these animals from the market within the RZ, to an abattoir outside of the RZ for slaughter, must be in compliance with, and accompanied by the EXD634.
  • No pre or post movement testing is required.

Store animals from within the RZ can move to a market anywhere in Great Britain subject to applying for a licence EXD632. 

In this case, “store” animals are defined as those not moving for immediate slaughter and not intended for breeding purposes.

Pre and post movement testing requirements for store livestock have been suspended during the Seasonally Low Vector Period. Please see below “Movement of breeding animals via markets” for details of animals that still require testing. 

Store animals from within the Restricted Zone (RZ) moving to market for sale: 

• Moving animals from within the RZ - to a market within the RZ - and onto live within RZ.
  • Animals that will stay within the same restricted zone do not require a licence to move.
• Moving animals from within the RZ - to a market within the RZ - and onto live outside of the RZ.
  • Animals that enter a market in the restricted zone with the intention of being available for sale to premises outside the zone require a EXD632 licence.  
  • The keeper must apply to APHA for a specific licence EXD632 . (This can take up to 10 days).
  • On leaving the market, moving outside of the RZ, the purchaser/haulier must comply with general licence EXD637 (GB) - movement of RZ animals from market to slaughter - SVLP and LTP.
  • No pre or post movement testing is required.
• Moving animals from within the RZ - to a market outside of the RZ - and onto live outside of the RZ.
  • Animals wishing to leave the restricted zone to enter a market must apply to APHA for a specific licence EXD632. (This can take up to 10 days.)
  • On leaving the market the purchaser/haulier must comply with general licence EXD637 (GB) - movement of RZ animals from market to slaughter - SVLP and LTP.
  • No pre or post movement testing is required. 

Store animals from outside of the Restricted Zone (RZ) moving to market for sale: 

• Moving animals from outside of the RZ – to a market outside of the RZ – remaining outside of the RZ, or moving into the RZ following sale.
  • No restrictions apply to animals at a market outside the restriction zone if the animals originate from outside the RZ.
• Moving animals from outside of the RZ – to a market inside the RZ – and onto live within the RZ.
  • Animals from outside the restricted zone do not need a licence to enter a market within the RZ.
  • Animals that will then stay within the same restricted zone as the market following sale do not require a licence to move.
• Moving animals from outside the RZ – to a market within the RZ – and back outside of the RZ to live.
  • Animals from outside the restricted zone do not need a licence to enter a market within the RZ.
  • On leaving the market within the RZ, moving back outside of the RZ, the purchaser/haulier must comply with general licence EXD637 (GB) - movement of RZ animals from market to slaughter - SVLP and LTP.
  • No pre or post movement testing is required.
  • The animals must not remain in the livestock market within the RZ for more than 24 hours.
  • This exemption does not include movements to non-market holdings.

The following breeding animals (as below) still require both a pre-movement test and a specific movement licence, EXD632, to move out of the RZ:

• Entire males intended for use in breeding
• Pregnant females (or pregnancy status unknown)
• youngstock that 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, the maternal dam can be tested by PCR and ELISA.
  • Ewes with lambs at foot and cows with calves at foot moving outside of the RZ to live - The ewes and cows must be pre-movement tested, but their progeny do not require a pre-movement test.

For more information on pre-movement testing, click here. Keepers must apply for the EXD632 prior to requesting testing. Keepers should apply for testing at least 10 working days before the planned move date. From 27 May 2025, the length of time that pre-movement test samples are valid is changing from 21 days to 10 days.

All other breeding animals that do not fit the criteria above, such as Dairy cows in milk or geld ewe lambs, still require a specific movement licence, EXD632, but do not require pre movement testing.

Breeding animals from within the Restricted Zone (RZ) moving to market for sale: 

• Moving animals from within the RZ - to a market within the RZ - and onto live within RZ.
  • Animals that will stay within the same restricted zone do not require a licence to move.
• Moving animals from within the RZ - to a market within the RZ - and onto live outside of the RZ.
  • Animals that enter a market in the restricted zone with the intention of being available for sale to premises outside the zone require a EXD632 licence.  
  • The keeper must apply to APHA for a specific licence EXD632 . (This can take up to 10 days).
  • On leaving the market, moving outside of the RZ, the purchaser/haulier must comply with general licence EXD637 (GB) - movement of RZ animals from market to slaughter - SVLP and LTP.
  • Pre-movement testing is required for entire males intended for use in breeding, pregnant females (or pregnancy status unknown) or youngstock that 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, the maternal dam can be tested.
• Moving animals from within the RZ - to a market outside of the RZ - and onto live outside of the RZ.
  • Animals wishing to leave the restricted zone to enter a market must apply to APHA for a specific licence EXD632. (This can take up to 10 days.)
  • On leaving the market the purchaser/haulier must comply with general licence EXD637 (GB) - movement of RZ animals from market to slaughter - SVLP and LTP.
  • Pre-movement testing is required for entire males in entire males intended for use in breeding, pregnant females (or pregnancy status unknown) or youngstock that 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, the maternal dam can be tested. 

Breeding animals from outside of the Restricted Zone (RZ) moving to market for sale: 

• Moving animals from outside of the RZ – to a market outside of the RZ – remaining outside of, or moving into, the RZ following sale.
  • No restrictions apply to animals at a market outside the restriction zone if the animals originate from outside the RZ.
• Moving animals from outside of the RZ – to a market inside the RZ – and onto live within the RZ.
  • Animals from outside the restricted zone do not need a licence to enter a market within the RZ.
  • Animals that will then stay within the same restricted zone as the market following sale do not require a licence to move.
  • No pre-movement testing is required for animals originating from outside of the RZ.
• Moving animals from outside the RZ – to a market within the RZ – and back outside of the RZ to live.
  • Animals from outside the restricted zone do not need a licence to enter a market within the RZ.
  • On leaving the market within the RZ, moving back outside of the RZ, the purchaser/haulier must comply with general licence EXD637 (GB) - movement of RZ animals from market to slaughter - SVLP and LTP.
  • No pre or post movement testing is required for animals originating outside of the RZ.
  • The animals must not remain in the livestock market within the RZ for more than 24 hours.
  • This exemption does not include movements to non-market holdings.

• Animals must be individually identified
• Animals must not show signs of bluetongue infection at the time of movement

If you've got questions, get in touch with your local auctioneer who will be able to advise on the marketing opportunities available to you. 

Or, use the contact form below to get in touch with our team at the LAA.

• The LAA continues to represent the interests of British farmers and livestock markets in all policy negotiations with Defra & Welsh Government regarding the BTV-3 outbreak.
• The LAA is working closely with member livestock markets to advise of the latest policy developments and changes to regulations.