Bluetongue guidance for shows and events

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If you’re a show organiser, you should check the: 

• guidance on how to spot and report bluetongue 
• bluetongue disease control framework in England 

You should also review your contingency plan and make sure exhibitors are aware of the requirements for attending the show or event. 

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The bluetongue restricted zone (thewill freebe area) extended to cover all of England on 1 July 2025. From that date:

• you will be able to move animals to a show within England without a specific licence or pre-movement testing
• if you are planning to move animals from England to a show in Scotland you should follow the guidance on movement licences and pre-movement tests in Scotland
• if you are planning to move animals from England to a show in Wales you should follow the guidance on movement licences and pre-movement tests in Wales

Shows held in an unrestricted area of England

Susceptible animals must be licensed to leave the bluetongue restricted zone to attend shows. These licences may include pre-movement testing requirements.  

Animal keepers should check with show organisers what their policy is for accepting susceptible animals from bluetongue zones.

Shows held inside the bluetongue restricted zone 

You can move susceptible animals freely within the restricted zone to attend and return from shows being held within the same restricted zone. 

Susceptible animals entering the restricted zone from thean freeunrestricted area to attend shows: 

• do not need a licence to enter the restricted zone 
• must have a specific movement licence to leave the zone following the show 

You must apply for the specific licence in advance of the show. 

If the animal lives in thean freeunrestricted area of England and attends a show in the restricted zone for 4 days or less, you can return them to the source premises without pre-movement and post-movement testingtesting. You being required.  You must still apply for a specific licence. 

If the animal lives in thean freeunrestricted area of England and attends a show in the restricted zonezone, and either moves from the show premises to another premises in the restricted zone or stays at the show for more than 4 daysdays, the animal may require pre-movement testing to leave the restricted zone. Check which animals need pre-movement bluetongue testing. You must still apply for a specific licence. 

If the animal lives in Scotland you should check the Scottish licensing, pre-movement and post-movement testing requirements for shows and events.

If the animal lives in Wales you should check the Welsh licensing, pre-movement and post-movement testing requirements for shows and events.

Shows that are put into a bluetongue zone after it has started 

If you have an animal at a show that is put into a restricted zone, you: 

• can move the animal to another premises in the restricted zone without a licence
• cannot move the animal out of the restricted zone without a specific licence, which may require pre-movement testing  

Bluetongue suspicion or confirmation at the show 

If bluetongue is suspected at the showground, the animal keeper or show organiser must immediately notify the APHA with details of the animal. 

If you’re the show organiser, you should contact APHA for advice on how to manage the show. The show may be allowed to continue, but all susceptible animals must remain on the premises until after a veterinary inspection is completed. 

You must not accept any further susceptible animals into the showground until disease is no longer suspected. 

If bluetongue is confirmed, APHA will give you advice on what you should do to allow susceptible animals to leave the showground.