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 (licensing)
This information is for people who plan to move the following types of animals from another part of the UK to Scotland:
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ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats and deer)
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camelids (llamas and alpacas)
Movement controls are in place which means there are strict licensing, testing and movement conditions depending on what you plan to do.
When controls apply
Midges spread bluetongue. The control period for this active season is 1 June to 9 September 2026.
During this period, it is usually warm enough for midges to spread the disease from an infected animal to another susceptible animal. This control period is based on the best available science and veterinary risk assessments. It sets a balance between uncertainty about the weather and permitting industry to plan.
The dates may change if weather conditions are significantly different from usual or the bluetongue situation changes.
General movement licence EXD608(EW)
Restricted Zones including cross-border holdings
England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man are bluetongue virus Restricted Zones.
Any movement of susceptible animals from these areas to live in Scotland must comply with the conditions set out in the general movement licence EXD608(EW).
If animals are coming into Scotland for immediate slaughter, you must use a different general licence EXD603(EW).
If your premises is on the border between Scotland and England, it's automatically considered to be in the Restricted Zone. You can move animals freely within your own premises, but you must follow the general licence conditions if you want to move animals off your farm and further into Scotland.
The licensing process - steps to move animals to live in Scotland
The EXD608(EW) general licence sets out the conditions that you must follow when moving a BTV susceptible animal to live in Scotland.
You do not have to wait for approval to move animals, but you must adhere to the general licence conditions.
Before moving animals to Scotland, you must:
Step 1. Complete an EXD645 form attaching the following evidence (as applicable):
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negative PCR/ELISA test results (the sample must have been taken within 7 calendar days prior to the movement)
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proof of vaccine purchase (invoice/vet confirmation)
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proof of vaccine administration dates (copy of medicine book)
Step 2. Log the movement on the APHA portal with the EXD645 evidence. Once the APHA portal is completed, note your portal application reference number
Step 3. Print/copy documents to accompany your movement:
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EXD608 General Licence,
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completed EXD645 form, adding the portal reference on part 1
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negative test results and/or vaccine information (as applicable)
Animals that do not require the EXD645 form:
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animals originating in Scotland that spend up to 4 days inside a Restricted Zone
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cattle originating in Scotland that are fully vaccinated with Bultavo-3 that spend less than 4 days inside a Restricted Zone
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animals moving directly to a designated abattoir
What the licensee must do
It is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure that:
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the conditions of the EXD608(EW) general licence are met
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a complete EXD645 form and evidence is logged on the APHA portal
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a copy of the EXD608(EW) general licence and supporting evidence, the EXD645 'form pack’, move with the animals
When a move is through a sale/show, the auctioneer or show operator will confirm a complete ‘form pack’ is presented with the animals and endorse the EXD608(EW) general licence prior to a move to Scotland.
A copy of the EXD645 must move with the animals and be available to a new keeper. This copy can be electronic or paper format and the APHA Portal reference must be visible.
How to complete an EXD645 pro forma
The EXD645 pro forma describes animals that are moving from a Restricted Zone to Scotland. There are two categories of animal:
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those that require a PCR/ELISA blood test — all susceptible species, unvaccinated cattle, or cattle vaccinated with a product other than Bultavo-3
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cattle vaccinated with Bultavo-3
You can read more about this at 'Testing requirements for live animals' and 'Sampling instructions' further on in this page.
PCR/ELISA testing
Plan ahead. Tests take time to process. Blood samples must be taken no more than 7 calendar days prior to the movement to Scotland.
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 form and save it to your device.
Cattle vaccinated with Bultavo-3
If you are moving cattle under the Bultavo-3 vaccination exemption, you need to have started the vaccination course at least 6 weeks before a movement to Scotland.
You will need:
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proof of Bultavo-3 purchase, such as an invoice or email from your vet
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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 pro forma and save all documents somewhere you can find them easily. You will need to upload them to the portal.
Applying through the APHA portal
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Make sure your completed EXD645 and any supporting evidence are saved on your device.
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Go to the APHA portal page to 'Apply for a movement licence'. Complete all fields as accurately as possible.
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When you reach 'Add any supporting documents', upload your EXD645 and any evidence. Select 'Choose file' to do this.
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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.
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Use the message function on the portal to briefly describe the movement, for example: 'Licensed movement to Scotland'.
You can move the animals to Scotland as soon as you have completed the portal process. You do not need to wait for approval.
Give a copy of the completed EXD645, the portal reference number, and any other evidence to the new keeper or a market representative if asked.
Testing requirements for live animals
Bluetongue virus (BTV) susceptible animals that have been in a bluetongue Restricted Zone may be at risk of BTV.
All BTV susceptible animals moving from a bluetongue Restricted Zone to Scotland to live, prior to the movement must be PCR (and ELISA in certain cases) at the owner's expense and tested for bluetongue with negative results received. The sample must have been taken within 7 calendar days of the movement.
It is the keeper's responsibility to ensure the samples are sent to the national reference laboratory at the Pirbright Institute promptly.
The procedure is covered in the ‘sampling instructions’ section of this page. Results of negative results must be uploaded to the APHA portal when completing the pro forma, and a copy must move with the animals.
Exceptions from pre-movement testing
The only exceptions to the pre-movement test are:
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for short (up to 4 days) show/sale moves from Scotland to an event in a bluetongue Restricted Zone
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for cattle that have completed a vaccination course using the Bultavo-3 vaccine with 21 days elapsing since completion of the primary course, and have received a vaccine booster if 12 months have elapsed since completion of primary course – any such cattle are exempt from the requiring of a pre-movement test
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movements direct to slaughter
Sampling instructions
Your private vet must follow Improve’s International guidance when collecting and sending samples. You pay for the testing. Tests are valid for 7 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:
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the keeper’s email is entered within the ‘additional address for return of results’ box and
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the text ‘Licensed move to Scotland’ is entered within the ‘Other tests, requirements or instructions’ box.
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.
Clearly state on the sample form whether you need PCR only, or both PCR and ELISA testing: most animals only need a PCR test but for pregnant cows in the third trimester then an ELISA test is needed in addition to PCR. Third trimester is defined as 6 months elapsed since conception.
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 pro forma, and uploaded when logging the movement to Scotland on the APHA portal. A copy must also accompany the animals.
Please don’t 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.
Movement conditions
Summary of the rules for moving live animals from a Restricted Zone (RZ) to Scotland :
Moves from a Restricted Zone (in effect the rest of GB) to slaughter in Scotland: needs to be directly to a designated abattoir after entering Scotland.
Moves from Restricted Zone to live in Scotland: need to follow conditions on general licence along with uploading info on to the APHA licence portal with evidence you have met one of the required exit conditions on the general licence.
Moves into and out of the Restricted Zone and returning to Scotland within 4 days: no pre-movement tests to enter the show or market, but we recommend post-movement PCR testing upon return to Scotland.
What you must do in detail
Movement to slaughter from a Restricted Zone
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no pre-movement test, but movements may only go to a designated slaughterhouse and must meet the requirements of the general licence EXD603(EW)
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moves to the slaughterhouse must be direct after leaving a bluetongue Restricted Zone, i.e. no further drop-offs or pickups
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a relaxation of dawn until dusk restrictions: animals that cannot be processed by operators on the day of arrival at an abattoir premises may be housed overnight and processed as soon as possible the following day. It is expected that only a small percentage of animals will need to be held overnight and operators must report overnight lairage levels to FSS as part of their designation – relaxations may be lifted if deemed to be excessive
Designated slaughterhouses
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1106 - Kepac Mcintosh Donald – Portlethan
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1541 - AK Stoddart Ltd – Irvine
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1103 -– Woodhead Brothers -– Turriff
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1516 - Shotts abattoir - Shotts
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1598 - Dunbia Highland meats – Saltcoats
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1560 - ABP – Bridge of Allan
Moves to attend shows or markets from Scotland to a Restricted Zone and returning within 4 days
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animals do not require a pre-movement test to enter the show/market in a Restricted Zone, but it is recommended that animals are post-movement PCR tested upon return to Scotland
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if an animal spends more than four days in the Restricted Zone, it will require a pre-movement test in the Restricted Zone with negative results received prior to a move back to Scotland
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cattle fully vaccinated with Bultavo-3, (in line with product label and having received a booster dose if 12 months have elapsed since completion of a primary vaccine course), are exempt from PCR/ELISA testing
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the movement from Scotland to a Restricted Zone are ‘free moves’, a return to Scotland within 4 days are licenced using the EXD608(EW) general licence.
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a show operator must endorse the EXD608(EW) general licence, confirming animals have spent less than 4 days inside a RZ, or that cattle are fully vaccinated using Bultavo-3
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animals remaining in RZ areas for more than 4 days are subject to the same conditions as animals naturalised in the RZ and will require a completed EXD645 pro forma prior to a move back to Scotland
Moves to a show or market in Scotland from a Restricted Zone
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conditions for animals from a RZ to attend a show/market in Scotland are the same as 'Movement to live – Restricted Zone to Scotland'
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cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, and other ruminants will require a PCR test within 7 days of the move, from 00:01 on 1 June 2026 at the earliest until 00:01 on 9 September 2026 at the latest (although this date will remain under review)
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cattle vaccinated with Bultavo-3 and with 21 days elapsed since completing the full course of primary vaccination, and having received a booster dose if 12 months have elapsed since completion of the primary course, may move to Scotland from a Restricted Zone without a PCR/ELISA pre-movement test
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cattle vaccinated with other products (Syvazul/Bluevac) or cattle that are unvaccinated will require a PCR test within 7 days of the move
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animals must be accompanied by a completed EXD645 pro forma with evidence of; a negative PCR test result, and/or for cattle, evidence of Bultavo-3 vaccine purchase and a copy of medicine record indicating date of administration.
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return journey to a Restricted Zone are free movements
Movement to live in Scotland from a Restricted Zone
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sheep, goats, camelids, and other ruminants will require a pre-movement test within 7 days of the move, from 00:01 on 1 June 2026 at the earliest until 00:01 on 9 September 2026 at the latest (although this date will remain under review)
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cattle vaccinated with Bultavo-3 and with 21 days elapsed since completing the full course of primary vaccination, and have received a vaccine booster if 12 months have elapsed since completion of primary course, may move to Scotland from a Restricted Zone without a pre-movement test
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cattle vaccinated with other BTV3 approved vaccines (Syvazul/Bluevac) or cattle that are unvaccinated will require a pre-movement test within 7 days of the move
Animals from Northern Ireland
All exports of susceptible animals from Northern Ireland are subject to similar bluetongue licence requirements as if they were coming from other parts of the UK, although the process is different and involves health certification by a DAERA veterinarian. For up to date information on imports from Northern Ireland, see the DAERA-NI bluetongue website.
Germinal products
Both the freezing of germinal products in the RZ requires a licence, as well as the movement of germinal products (frozen or fresh) out of the RZ. Collection and immediate use of fresh germinal products from healthy animals in the RZ does not require a bluetongue licence.
Read more and see the instructions on how to apply for licences here:
Vaccination
Vaccination is the best strategy to protect stock, and it is strongly recommended that livestock keepers consider it, and seek advice from their vet.
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.