Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease
Advice on what to do if you suspect there is an outbreak of this infectious disease.
Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals and germinal products, and licensing
Species affected
This information is for people who plan to move the following types of animals between the free area of Scotland and any bluetongue Restricted Zone:
- ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats and deer)
- camelids (llamas and alpacas)
Change to licensing conditions from 10 September
The low transmission period in Scotland for this season began on 10 September 2026 and will end before the Summer 2027. Relaxations to some of our movement controls are in place during this period but controls remain in place for certain high-risk animals which means there may be strict licensing, testing and movement conditions, depending on what you plan to do.
Licensing
The movement of any BTV susceptible animal out of a RZ must be performed under licence. The required licence depends on the purpose of the move and the type of animal. Click on the licence links on this page to view movement conditions for the type of animal moving and further down this page for additional information regarding testing requirements and associated procedures. Some animals are exempt from testing after 10 September, and some aren’t. See below an overview, and the next section provides additional detail by species.
Non-exempt animals:
- breeding bulls and pregnant cows will require a PCR pre-movement test, if leaving a Restricted Zone (RZ) and moving to the free area of Scotland (unless vaccinated with Bultavo-3)
- any breeding males and pregnant females of all other species with the exception of sheep need a PCR pre-movement test before leaving an RZ to come to the free area of Scotland
Exempt animals:
- all other types of cattle (e.g. calves, store, or fat/cull cattle intended for slaughter), any kind of sheep, and any non-breeding animal of other species do not require vaccination or a PCR test to leave an RZ
Advisory note
- Keepers of any susceptible animals advised to consider:
- responsible sourcing and knowing the health status of the animals they are moving to their farm
- vaccination in consultation with their private veterinary surgeon
- isolation and post-movement PCR testing before breeding from animals
Licencing conditions by species
Moves to live
Sheep
- all sheep are able to move from an RZ to the free area of Scotland to live without vaccination or a PCR/ELISA test
- it is strongly recommended that any rams intended for breeding are tested for bluetongue before involvement in any breeding activity
- movement from an RZ to the free area of Scotland to live, use: EXD698(GB) General licence to move sheep, non-breeding animals of other species and all slaughter animals from a bluetongue Restricted Zone (RZ) to the free area of Scotland
Cattle
- all calves, store, fat and cull cattle, and any females which are not in calf at the time of the movement, do not require vaccination or a PCR/ELISA test and are able to move from the RZ to the free area of Scotland using: EXD698(GB) General licence to move sheep, non-breeding animals of other species and all slaughter animals from a bluetongue Restricted Zone (RZ) to the free area of Scotland
- breeding cattle will require a PCR test to move from an RZ to the free area of Scotland to live, unless they’ve been vaccinated with Bultavo-3 – these are breeding bulls and pregnant cows/heifers
- breeding bulls that have completed a vaccination course using the Bultavo-3 vaccine – with 21 days elapsing since completion of the primary course, and that have received a vaccine booster if 12 months have elapsed since completion of primary course – do not require a pre-movement test
- pregnant cows and heifers can be exempted from pre-movement testing if they have had a full vaccination course of Bultavo-3 before they got pregnant
- if moving such animals, for details of movement conditions, refer to: EXD697(GB) - General licence to move breeding cattle from a bluetongue restricted zone to a final destination in the free area of Scotland to live
Stags, adult male camelids, pregnant deer and pregnant camelids
- all adult male camelids, pregnant deer and pregnant camelids will require a pre-movement PCR test to move from an RZ to the free area of Scotland, to live
- If moving such animals, refer to licence: EXD699(GB) - General licence to move breeding animals, other than cattle and sheep, from a bluetongue restricted zone to a final destination in the free area of Scotland, to live
Moves to slaughter
- All animals intended for immediate slaughter do not require vaccination or a PCR test.
- During the low risk period abattoirs no longer require to be designated (10 September until 31 May).
- For movements to slaughter refer to licence: EXD698(GB) General licence to move sheep, non-breeding animals of other species and all slaughter animals from a bluetongue Restricted Zone (RZ) to the free area of Scotland.
Movement of germinal product
- Germinal product includes semen, embryos and ova, and movement of these products out of restricted zone requires a licence.
- Any germinal product intended to be moved into the free area out of the restricted zone must be frozen before dispatch and originate from donors which were tested clear in accordance with the licence*.
- Unfrozen germinal product is not permitted to leave a restricted zone to the free area of Scotland.
- Unfrozen germinal product may be collected and used immediately within a restricted zone, or moved between restricted zones.
- Anyone freezing germinal product in a restricted zone, even if not leaving the zone, must ensure the donors are tested in accordance with the licence*.
Guidance for PCR sampling and completion of the EXD645(GB) pro forma (if applicable)
Sampling instructions
Your private vet must follow Improve International guidance when collecting and sending samples. You pay for the testing. Tests are valid for seven calendar days after sample collection.
Important information about testing at the Pirbright Institute
Submission process
Read carefully because failure to do this will delay return of results.
Your private vet will complete a Sample Submission form (NVR-FORM-21).
To prevent delays, ensure:
- the keeper’s email is entered within the ‘additional address for return of results’ box and
- the text ‘Licensed move to Scotland’ is entered within the ‘Other tests, requirements or instructions’ box
- when packaging samples for mailing, ensure that the outside of the package is clearly labelled with “Licenced move to Scotland” – also ensure a reliable carrier is used
Timing and capacity
No testing happens at weekends or bank holidays, and there’s limited daily capacity.
The lab needs at least 3 working days from receipt of sample for test processing, and samples are tested in the order they arrive with no priority service.
Please do not phone the lab to request priority or chase results.
Sample requirements
Ensure you add the full animal IDs, for example UK123456789012, date of sampling and species (such as bovine, Ovine etc.). Complete all forms accurately and make sure samples are taken correctly and clearly labelled to avoid delays or extra fees for amending reports or test validity lapsing.
Results and licencing
Test results are emailed to the private vet and to the additional address (keeper) provided on the submission form. Make sure it is correct and able to receive emails.
Once negative test results are received, they must be added to the EXD645(GB) pro forma, and uploaded when logging the movement to Scotland on the APHA portal. A copy must also accompany the animals.
Please do not phone Pirbright for licensing queries.
Payment and planning
Plan your testing so samples are still valid on your planned move date.
Pirbright will send you an invoice following completion of testing.
How to complete an EXD645(GB) pro forma
The EXD645(GB) pro forma describes animals that are moving from a RZ to the free area of Scotland. There are two categories of animal:
- those that require a PCR blood test
- bulls and pregnant cattle vaccinated with Bultavo-3
PCR testing
Plan ahead. Tests take time to process. Blood samples must be taken no more than seven calendar days prior to the movement to Scotland. For the avoidance of doubt, this means, for instance, if samples are taken on a Saturday, the animals can move on a negative test until the end of next Saturday.
Make sure your vet completes the submission form as described in the sampling instructions. If they do not, your results will be delayed.
When you receive negative results, complete parts 1 and 2 of the EXD645(GB) pro forma and save it to your device.
What you'll need with cattle vaccinated with Bultavo-3
When moving from a RZ in Scotland, to the free area of Scotland:
- to have uploaded vaccine information on the ScotEID vaccine reporting tool
- complete parts 1 and 3 of the EXD645 pro forma
When moving from a RZ in England or Wales:
- proof of Bultavo-3 purchase, such as an invoice or email from your vet
- a copy of your medicine book showing the dosage and date for each animal, for example a photo or electronic document
- complete parts 1 and 3 of the EXD645(GB) pro forma and save all documents somewhere you can find them easily. You will need to upload them to the portal.
Registering the movement through the APHA portal
- Make sure your completed EXD645(GB) pro forma and any supporting evidence are saved on your device.
- Go to the APHA portal page to 'Apply for a movement licence'. Complete all fields as accurately as possible.
- When you reach 'Add any supporting documents', upload your EXD645(GB) pro forma and any evidence. Select 'Choose file' to do this. (Evidence is not required if vaccine information exists on ScotEID)
- After you submit your application, go to the 'Dashboard' tab to find your application number. This number must travel with the animals - write it on any physical copy of the EXD645(GB) pro forma.
- Use the message function on the portal to briefly describe the movement, for example: 'Licensed movement to Scotland'.
You can move the animals to the free area of Scotland as soon as you have completed the portal process. You do not need to wait for approval.
For animals moving under a PCR pre-movement test: you must not move animals until you have received negative test results. However, if test results are received on the day of the planned movement, the supporting evidence must be uploaded through the portal process within 48 hours of that movement.
Give a copy of the completed EXD645(GB) pro forma, the portal reference number, and any other evidence to the new keeper or a market representative if asked.
When moving animals under licence with an EXD654(GB) through a sale or collection, you must provide a copy of the EXD645(GB) to representative of the sale/centre who will endorse the licence for you, to verify compliance and reassure buyers. The EXD645(GB) and the endorsed licence should travel with the animals and given to the final keeper, or present to an inspector if so requested. Electronic copies are permitted as long as fully completed and signed where needed.
Contact
If you suspect signs of any notifiable diseases, you must immediately notify your Scotland: field service local office at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Failure to do so is an offence.