Move animals from the bluetongue restricted zone to a market

The UK is in a seasonally vector low period (SVLP). This means the risk of transmission of bluetongue is now very low. Seasonally vector low periods allow licence conditions to be eased in the UK but may not be recognised by third countries. You must still have a licence to move animals out of a restricted zone.

For any bluetongue susceptible animal movement out of a bluetongue restricted zone make sure that you: 

• use the right licence   
• download the latest version of the licence as they are updated from time to time  
• keep a copy with you when you move animals under the licence 

Move animals to a market (not for immediate slaughter)  

During the seasonally vector low period you can move animals that originate from a restricted zone, and are not intended for immediate slaughter, to a market anywhere in Great Britain. If any part of the move will require animals to leave the restricted zone, you will require 2 licences, both: 

• specific licence (EXD632) to move animals directly to the market  
• general licence EXD 637 (E) (PDF, 194143 KB, 4 pages) to move the animals from the market directly to their destination premises 

You must get a pre-movement bluetongue test with negative results for any animals leaving the restricted zone. The market will require a copy of your EXD632 specific licence which will confirm that the animals listed in Part 2 of that licence have been tested for bluetongue and had negative results returned.

You do not need a licence if you know your animals will not leave the bluetongue restricted zone at any point in the sale. Your auctioneer may be able to offer your animals for sale to clients that will only buy stock to move to premises within the same restricted zone. If you are unsure, apply for specific licence EXD632 and complete bluetongue testing of your animals in advance to make sure any move out of the restricted zone can take place.

Animals intended to be sold via a market must: 

• be individually identified and have no signs of bluetongue infection 
• in most cases, be accompanied by a specific licence. You must apply for a specific licence to move animals (not intended for slaughter) to a market or onward destination outside of the restricted zone during the SVLP. Animals will require pre-movement testing as a condition of the movement licence.
• have general licence EXD 637 (E) (PDF, 194143 KB, 4 pages) to leave the market direct to their onward destination

How to arrange bluetongue testing and report the results

Find out how to get free bluetongue testing for your animals.

UK Farmcare will report negative results from samples they collect directly to APHA.

You private veterinary surgeon must report the negative results directly to the APHA Licensing Team (Outbreak.Licensing@apha.gov.uk) before APHA can issue your licence. 

Move animals to a market for onward movement for immediate slaughter 

Movements from the market must be direct to slaughter. Any animal moving out of the restriction zone for slaughter must comply with general licence GL EXD634. No testing is required for such animals. The market operator can only permit buyers to purchase animals for movement direct to a slaughterhouse if animals are moved out of the restricted zone without testing. 

If you moved animals out of the restricted zone to a breeding sale on or before 20 January 2025, you must comply with any post-movement testing requirements set out in your licence or restriction notice.

Move animals from outside the restricted zone into a market in the restricted zone 

Animals from premises outside the restricted zone moving to a market inside the restricted zone may be sold and moved immediately back out of the zone without testing – direct to slaughter under general licence GL EXD634 or to another premises under general licence EXD 637 (E) (PDF, 194 KB, 4 pages). They may be sold to a premises in the zone without testing or licence but if they then leave the zone they will be subject to the rules in place at the time of movement. 

Approved red markets and approved breeding markets 

Approved red markets and approved breeding markets are suspended during the seasonally vector low period.