Wales and Scotland ease bluetongue movement restrictions
22nd September 2025
The Welsh and Scottish governments confirmed that, because lower temperatures are expected to prevent midges from spreading the bluetongue virus, movement restrictions on ruminants and camelids have been eased.
From midday on 21st September 2025 some movement restrictions have been eased for all animals vaccinated against Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 (BTV-3) moving from the restricted zones into Wales.
The Welsh Government said that based on current scientific evidence and expert advice, temperatures in Wales are expected to be low enough by this time to reduce virus transmission by midges.
Livestock farmers wanting to move from a BTV-3 restricted zone to Wales will need to follow the conditions of the EXD661(E) general licence.
A spokesperson for the government said: “You will not need to apply to APHA for the licence, but you must adhere to the licence conditions. Please see guidance below ‘Movements to live: vaccinated animals.”
For the movement of unvaccinated animals, the current control measures remain in place.
For the movement of animals from Wales to Scotland that have spent time in the restricted zone (RZ) since May 2025, farmers should follow the guidance for ‘Movements to Scotland: animals that have originated in the RZ’.
Animals that have completed a primary vaccination scheme of a bluetongue virus serotype 3 vaccination as per the information datasheet and show no signs of illness can move from the restricted zone in England to Wales without a pre-movement test under the conditions of the general licence.
The general licence will permit any vaccinated animal to move from the RZ to Wales to live; this includes farm-to-farm, via markets, and from shows or collection centres.
Moving animals to Scotland
Moving animals from the restricted zone to Scotland has also been relaxed on 21st September.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government explained: “Lower temperatures in Scotland should prevent midges from spreading the disease, so some movement rules can be relaxed. However, low risk does not mean no risk, and breeding animals in particular still poses risks, as bluetongue can cause breeding problems, and infected mothers can pass the virus to offspring.
“You must follow the general licence EXD662 (E) when moving animals from a BTV-3 restricted zone into Scotland.
“You do not need to apply to APHA for this licence, but you must follow all conditions.”
Animals that have been in the restricted zone since May 2025 have different testing requirements before moving to Scotland. Some animals do not need tests (exempt animals), while others do (non-exempt animals). Testing requirements vary by animal type and sex, the Scottish Government said.
Keepers can use the Bluetongue movement checker from Ruminant Health and Welfare to understand the rules for your animals.
READ MORE: Time running out to vaccinate for bluetongue, NSA says
Situation in England
The restricted zone for bluetongue was extended to cover all of England on 1st July 2025. Livestock farmers can now move animals within England without a specific bluetongue licence or pre-movement testing.
The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain for the 2025 to 2026 vector season (since July 2025) is 46. All cases have been reported in England, the UK government confirmed.
Most recently one new case of BTV-3 was confirmed on 19th September in Cornwall.
Additionally, six new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed on 17th September following reports of suspicious clinical signs in ruminants located in Oxfordshire, Cornwall, West Yorkshire, Leicestershire and Shropshire.
READ MORE: Industry expresses frustration with ‘ad hoc’ bluetongue controls
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