BLUETONGUE UPDATE 26.03.2025

Change to Bluetongue Movement Licence Requirements

As of Wednesday 26th March the requirement to have a negative Bluetongue blood test prior to having a specific movement licence (EXD632) issued for moves to live out of the Bluetongue Restricted Zone has been removed. You will still need to apply for your licence in the same way but hopefully it will be a quicker and easier process and therefore we hope clients will take advantage of this short window of opportunity, the relaxation is only due to run until 23rd April or earlier if conditions change. These changes have been made because we are now more than 60 days into the Vector Low Period and transmission of the disease, or infection still being present in animals, is considered very unlikely. We do not know what will happen to the rules when we come out of the Vector Low Period.

Animals from within the Bluetongue Restricted Zone which come in without a licence will still be able to remain within the Zone to live or move out directly to a slaughterhouse.

This change does not apply to calves and lambs under 60 days of age, breeding bulls or rams, or pregnant females which will all still need a blood test prior to moving out of the Zone to live.