
Watch again: Bluetongue update with the NFU and CVO
The Welsh Government, along with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies has announced the introduction of Bluetongue approved red markets. Get the details on BTV control policy in Wales.
From 1 July 2025, the RZ (restricted zone) was extended to cover all of England. Keepers can move cattle, sheep, all ruminants and camelids within England without a bluetongue licence or testing.
The RZ has been extended following recognition between industry and scientists that ‘the area of England where disease has been found is now too large for movement restrictions to remain an effective and proportionate way of controlling the disease’.
Read: GOV.UK | Bluetongue virus restricted zone to be extended to all of England on 1 July 2025
BTV control policy in Wales
Red markets
From Monday 14 July, animals can be moved from the RZ in England to a bluetongue approved red market in Wales, for direct onward movement to a designated slaughterhouse in Wales or one within the restricted zone.
The decision follows a Bluetongue Roundtable meeting hosted by the Deputy First Minister on Tuesday 8 July.
Key points:
- Movements of animals from a premises located within the bluetongue restricted zone are subject to the conditions of the EXD627 general licence.
- The movement of animals from a Bluetongue Approved Red Market in Wales for onward movement direct to a designated slaughterhouse in Wales or a slaughterhouse within the restricted zone of England are subject to the conditions of the EXD628 general licence.
- Animals brought to these markets would not require vaccination or pre-movement testing so long as they are taken direct to a designated slaughterhouse in Wales or a slaughterhouse in the Restricted Zone in England.
More information can be found at:
- GOV.WALES | Bluetongue restrictions eased for livestock movements to approved ‘red markets’ in Wales
- NFU-Cyrmu.org | Bluetongue approved red markets are a ‘step forward’
Prior to this latest announcement, and from 20 June, cattle fully vaccinated with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Bultavo-3 vaccine have been allowed to move under licence from a RZ to Wales without a pre-movement test. This still applies for cattle moving from the RZ into Wales to live.
Sheep must all be pre-movement tested and require a licence to move into Wales to live from the RZ in England. Welsh Government has stated that this is because ‘no vaccine products currently meet the requirements for protecting sheep from BTV-3 to allow them to move out of the RZ.’
BTV control policy in Scotland
Scottish Government also revealed new Bluetongue control measures on 12 June, allowing animals vaccinated with Bultavo 3 to move from the RZ (England) into Scotland without a pre-movement test. Testing for movements to Scotland will be at the keeper’s expense and must be privately arranged.
- Get information on licensing at: GOV.SCOT | Licensing – bluetongue
Key dates
England | Wales | Scotland | |
From 1 July |
You will be able to move animals within England without a bluetongue licence or testing. You will need to have a specific licence to freeze germinal products within the restricted zone and testing will be required. Keepers will be responsible for the cost of sampling, postage and testing. |
Cattle fully vaccinated with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Bultavo-3 vaccine will be allowed to move under licence from a RZ (Restricted Zone) to Wales without a pre-movement test. The pre-movement test must be arranged and paid for privately. Once Defra moves England to become a whole country RZ, the free testing that is currently available will end. |
The current pre-movement testing requirements remain the same. This means animals moving from a BTV-3 RZ to Scotland to live will require a valid pre-movement test at the keeper’s expense, or vaccination with the Boehringer Bultavo-3 vaccine for cattle. Keepers can apply for a movement licence on gov.uk. On or after 1 July 2025 a test will be valid for 7 calendar days after the day when the sample is taken. |
From 14 July |
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Animals can be moved from the RZ in England to a Bluetongue approved red market in Wales, for direct onward movement to a designated slaughterhouse in Wales or one within the restricted zone. |
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Vaccinating your herd
If you haven’t yet vaccinated your livestock, you should speak to your private vet to determine if BTV3 vaccination is right for your animals. This is particularly important if you are not currently in the RZ.
Vaccination remains the most effective long-term approach for disease controls.
If you keep animals in England and routinely move animals into Wales or Scotland you need to check for updates at GOV.WALES and GOV.SCOT. on what licences you will need and whether or not you will need to organise and pay for a pre-movement test.
Reporting suspected cases
Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately. Failure to do so is an offence:
- England – call the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
- Wales – contact 0300 303 8268.
- Scotland – contact your local Field Services Office.