Bluetongue

Bluetongue briefing – last update 01/08/25 – 1:30pm

To all customers.

As of Tuesday 1 July 2025, the whole of England was placed in the Restricted Zone and there is therefore free movement with no testing requirements for all animals in England (though germinal products will still require a licence and testing). This is what we have been campaigning for since the start.

The situation for Wales and Scotland is different and may evolve further. You can send stock from Wales and Scotland to Market with no restrictions and if it is returned within four days then it only requires isolation and a post movement test. If it stays in England for more than four days then a pre movement test is also required..

To go from England into Wales or Scotland, for slaughter stock, then the animals require a general licence and have to go to a designated slaughter house which has to meet various requirement. For non slaughter stock, both countries currently have no Restricted Zones and require pre and post movement testing (at the farmers expense), save for cattle vaccinated with Boehringer ‘Bultavo-3’ that are able to move at least 21 days after the second dose. All such animal movements require a licence. Should you wish to take animals from Market to Wales or Scotland please see the latest guidance and consult your vet.

You can also use the Bluetongue movement checker developed by Ruminant Health & Welfare and AHDB – https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus-hub/bluetongue-movements-checker/

If you are in any doubt as to what you can do, please message us and we will do our best to help you.