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 but you may not require a pre-movement test.zone.

Check which animals need pre-movement bluetongue testing.

You do not need to do post-movement tests during the SVLP.

Get a general licence

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 

MovingMove animals notto fora immediatemarket slaughter(not fromfor aimmediate restricted zone  slaughter)  

During the SVLP,seasonally youvector mustlow getperiod ayou specificcan licence to move animals fromthat premisesoriginate infrom a restricted zonezone, and are not intended for immediate slaughter, to a market anywhere in Great Britain.

If at any pointpart of the move will require animals to leave the restricted zone, you will needrequire to: both: 

• apply for a specific licence (EXD632) to to move animals directly to the market  
• use general licence EXD637 (GB) (EXD637 (PDF, (GB)) to164 KB, 4 pages) to move the animals from the market directly to their destination premises 

You shouldmust also checkhave ifa yourpre-movement animalsbluetongue willtest needwith prenegative movementresults testing underfor theany conditionsanimals ofleaving the specificrestricted licence.

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

What. theThe market will need

You’llrequire need to give the market a copy of your EXD632 specific licence (EXD632).which This will confirm that the animals listed in partPart 2 movedof inthat compliancelicence have been tested for bluetongue and had negative results returned.

If testing is required, samples can be taken within 21 days of the movement.  This period maybe reduced as we approach the end of the seasonally vector low period. The rules for testing offspring travelling at foot with their dam have been eased.

If the licence.dam tests negative for bluetongue, we are permitting offspring born on or after 1 December 2024 to travel at foot without pre-movement testing. The animals must not be showing clinical signs at the time of sampling or movement. These animals can move from the RZ into England, Scotland or Wales. This is only permitted during the SVLP.

You do not need a licence if you know your animals will not leave the bluetongue restricted zone at any point in the sale. 

sale. Your auctioneer may be able to offer your animals for sale to clients whothat will only movebuy stock to move to premises within the same restricted zone. 

zone. If you’reyou notare sure,unsure, apply for a specific licence forEXD632 anyand movementcomplete inbluetongue atesting bluetongueof zoneyour notanimals coveredin byadvance ato generalmake licence.sure Youany maymove needout toof testthe yourrestricted animalszone beforecan thetake move.place.

Animals intended to be sold via a market must:  must: 

• be individually identified and have no signs of bluetongue infection  infection 
• have a a specificspecific licence  in most cases cases
• have a general licence EXD637 (GB) (PDF, 164 KB, 4 pages) to leave the market direct to their onward destination - this must be endorsed by the market operator before leaving the market market

With a general licence, you are allowed multiple drop-offs of animals at their final destination after leaving the market. This only applies during the the SVLP. .

You must 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 the SVLP. YouAnimals mightwill needrequire topre-movement testtesting the animals before movement as a condition of the movement licence. 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 with EXD634 (E). No testing is required for such animals.  animals. 

If animals have moved out of the restricted zone without testing, the market operator can only permit buyers to purchase these animals for movement direct to slaughter.

You are allowed multiple drop-offs of animals after leaving the market. This only applies during the the SVLP.

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

WhenAnimals movingfrom animalspremises intooutside the restricted zone moving to a market,market youinside dothe notrestricted needzone tomay testbe them if they are:

• being sold and moved immediately back out of the restriction zone andwithout goingtesting – direct to slaughter –under you must have a  general licence EXD634 (E)
• moving or to another premises outsideunder the restricted zone – you must move animals using general licence EXD637 (GB)

You (PDF, can164 sellKB, them4 pages). They may be sold to a premises in the zone without testing or a licence. If they then leave a premises in the restricted 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.