Bluetongue movement licences and designated slaughterhouses
When you need to use movement licences and the designated slaughterhouses to use for bluetongue restricted premises.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Allow extra time for APHA to process your movement licence application over the Christmas period. Read the deadlines for bluetongue laboratory services during the Christmas period.
When you need to apply for a licence
Certain movements are not permitted in a bluetongue zone or from premises which have been served a bluetongue premises or individual animal restriction notice. Some may now be permitted by a general licence, or you may apply for a specific licence.
You may need to:
- download and comply with the conditions of a general licence where applicable
- apply for a specific licence for movement
General licences
Please check carefully that the bluetongue general licence applies to you before making a movement and always download the latest version as they are updated from time to time. A copy should accompany any animals moved under the general licence.
| General licence | What it is for |
|---|---|
| For movements of animals kept within a restricted zone (RZ), protection zone (PZ) or surveillance zone (SZ) to a designated slaughterhouse in England or Wales, for the purpose of immediate slaughter. | |
| For movements of animals to a slaughterhouse located in a temporary control zone (TCZ) in England for the purpose of immediate slaughter. | |
| For movements of animals to a designated slaughterhouse in England for the purposes of immediate slaughter. | |
| For movements of susceptible animals between premises which are wholly or partly inside a temporary control zone (TCZ) in England. | |
| For movements of susceptible animals from a free area into a temporary control zone (TCZ). |
Apply for a specific licence
Allow at least 5 days for your licence application to be processed where possible. Complex and high-risk movements will need extra time to process.
Make contingency plans to allow for the time it takes to be issued. Consider what steps you will need to take if the licence is refused or cannot be issued in time.
If a specific licence is issued, it will allow a movement that is subject to certain conditions based on disease control risk.
References to animals means ruminants (for example cattle, sheep, goats, deer and other ruminants) and camelids (for example llamas and alpacas)
Premises that have any land within the restricted zone or straddle the boundary are classified as being within the zone.
Take precautions when moving animals. Check your stock for possible signs of disease and spray the inside of vehicles with an insecticide approved for use against flying insects prior to loading. Only move animals when it is absolutely necessary.
Holdings which are in a Restricted Zone
You can download and use for movements of animals kept within a restricted zone (RZ), protection zone (PZ) or surveillance zone (SZ) to a designated slaughterhouse in England or Wales, for the purpose of immediate slaughter.
You do not need a licence to move from premises in a restricted zone to a slaughterhouse located in the same restricted zone and as such a slaughterhouse located in a restricted zone does not need to be designated.
General licences do not apply if your premises is under a bluetongue restriction notice. If you have been served a bluetongue premises or individual animal restriction notice and wish to move animals, you can apply for a specific licence.
The declaration of the bluetongue restricted zone (RZ) also imposed a bluetongue Infected Area which applies to the same geographical area as the RZ which restricts the movement of animals on and off premises and in or out of the Infected Area. This licence EXD612(E) (GL) is published to overcome legal restrictions that would otherwise prevent movement of animals. This does not remove any obligations to comply with BTV movement restrictions and licences and does not permit the movement of animals out of a RZ.
For all other animal movements, including moves to live to premises outside the restricted zone, you must apply for a specific licence. At this time, you cannot move animals to a market outside the zone (except to slaughter markets or breeding markets) and cannot move animals purchased at a market inside the zone to destinations outside the zone. We are keeping this under review.
If you need to move germinal products from susceptible animals out of the zone, or you wish to freeze germinal products in the zone, you must obtain a specific licence. If you operate a germinal product collection centre you may apply to be designated.
Holdings which are in a TCZ (but not under bluetongue premises restrictions)
You can download and use for movements of animals to a slaughterhouse located in a Temporary Control Zone in England. Conditions apply.
You can download and use for movements of animals to a designated slaughterhouse in England. Conditions apply.
You can download and use for movements of susceptible animals between premises which are wholly or partly inside a temporary control zone (TCZ) in England. Conditions apply.
You can download and use for movements of susceptible animals from a free area into a temporary control zone (TCZ). Conditions apply.
Licence EXD610 and EXD611 apply to movement to or from a livestock market in a zone. Currently no licence is available to move animals from a market located in the TCZ to premises outside the TCZ.
These general licences do not apply if your premises is restricted by a specific bluetongue restriction notice.
For all other moves, including moves to live to premises outside the zone you must apply for a specific licence if you need to move your animals or germinal products on to and off the premises.
Holdings with links to premises where positive cases have been confirmed also known as traced premises
An epidemiological investigation will be carried out. Restrictions appropriate to these specific circumstances will be put in place. If you need to move your animals onto and off these premises, whilst these restrictions are in place, you can apply for a specific licence.
You can also apply for a specific movement licence if there’s an urgent and genuine welfare need to move animals, including short distance moves out of the RZ.
If a welfare licence is approved, the animals will be placed under restriction. You may be asked by the APHA licensing team to organise a visit by your private vet, at your cost, to take samples from the animals after they have moved. The samples will currently be tested free of charge.
Premises where a disease investigation is being done into the possible presence of bluetongue
The keeper or occupier will be issued with a notice explaining the restrictions in place. A specific licence will be needed to move any bluetongue susceptible animal or germinal products produced from them on or off the premises.
Bluetongue laboratory service during the Christmas period
Apply for a licence and submit samples for testing as soon as you can.
Pre-movement testing
Pre-movement samples taken from:
- 16 to 18 December will be valid until 30 December
- 19 to 22 December will be valid until 2 January
- 23 to 29 December will be valid until 6 January
- 30 December to 1 January will be valid until 8 January
- 2 January 2025 onwards will be valid for 7 days after sampling
To make sure you receive your licence to move animals between:
- 25 and 27 December, the laboratory must receive your samples before 9am on 23 December
- 28 and 31 December, the laboratory must receive your samples before 9am on 24 December
- 1 and 3 January, the laboratory must receive your samples before 9am on 30 December
APHA will issue your licence on the next working day after they receive the test results.
Consider using a delivery service that can guarantee the delivery time.
Samples that arrive:
- after 9am will not be tested that day
- after 9am on 24 December will be tested on 30 December and 2 January
Samples are stored in temperature-controlled facilities until they are tested.
Post-movement testing
For movements between 14 and 27 December that require post-movement testing, the period for collecting samples has been extended. You can collect samples from animals 6 to 17 days after the move.
Keepers and veterinarians should be aware that reporting results may take longer than usual, which can delay the removal of restrictions for tested stock.
Designated slaughterhouses
Abattoirs that can slaughter animals from a bluetongue virus restricted premises under licence.
England
East Midlands:
- Foyle (2077), Melton Mowbray LE14 3PR
- Pickstop Foods Ltd (2763), Hartshorne DE11 7FN
- R B Elliott and Son Ltd (4168), Chesterfield S44 5UN
- University of Nottingham (4333), Loughborough LE12 5RD
- F Redfern & Sons Ltd (4357), Buxton SK17 9HT
- T G Sargeant & Sons (4367), Uttoxeter ST14 5BG
- Dovecote Park Ltd (5116), Skellingthorpe LN6 5TX
- A Wright & Son (5184), Boston PE21 7TN
- L Brown & Son (Wholesale Butchers) Ltd (5204), Lincoln LN3 4NL
- Woodhead Bros (5513), Spalding PE11 3YY
East of England:
- Dunbia (5106), Cardington MK44 3SB
- C A Leech & Son (5144), Melbourn SG8 6DU
- H K Hellett & Sons (5154), Spaldwick PE28 6DU
- HG Blake Ltd (5207), Costessey NR10 4DU
- Fowler Bros Ltd (5280), Latchingdon CM0 8NA
London:
- Romford Halal Meats Ltd (5319), Romford RM4 1TH
North East:
- Linden Foods (2056), Burradon NE23 7NB
- Thompson Wholesale Meat Ltd (2066), Bishop Auckland DL14 0AQ
- J A Jewitt Meat Ltd (2161), Spennymoor DL16 7QD
- George Bolam (Foods) Ltd (2406), Sedgefield TS21 3EE
North West:
- Hartshead Meats Ltd (2095), Ashton-under-Lyne OL5 0JL
- Dunbia (2388), Cumbria LA12 0LT
- Riley Foods Ltd (2660), Burnley BB1 5PP
- Dunbia (4071), Preston PR5 6AJ
- G & GB Hewitt Ltd (4140), Chester CH3 9BH
- Beesons Ltd (4152), Crewe CW1 5QF
- Manchester Abattoir (4227), Stockport SK4 1BJ
- William Taylor & Son PS Ltd (4381), Bamber Bridge PR5 6EH
- Woodhead Bros (4471), Colne BB8 8LH
- Dunbia (4486), Sawley BB7 4LH
South East:
- Ken Ballard Ltd (6128), Tonbridge TN12 9HS
- Mutchmeats Ltd (6207), Witney OX29 7GX
- ABP (6238), Guildford GU1 1RP
- J R Meats Ltd (6326), Aylesham CT3 3HN
- Down Land Traditional Meats Ltd (6342), Henfield BN5 9BB
South West:
- Foyle (2172), Gloucester GL14 2PH
- Dunbia West (8071), Devon EX20 3HT
- P J King & Son (8072), Gloucester GL4 0UG
- St Merryn Foods (8073), Bodmin PL31 2QB
- Dunbia Jaspers (8113), Launceston PL15 7JL
- Alec Jarrett Ltd (8119), Bristol BS30 9TN
- AC Hopkins (Taunton) Ltd (8184), Taunton TA3 5PN
- C Snell Wholesale (8191), Chard TA20 2NY
- F. Drury & Sons Ltd (8201), Swindon SN4 7PF
- ABP (8207), Sturminster DT10 1HA
- ABP (8216), Yetminster DT9 6HQ
- Stillmans (Somerset) Ltd (8231), Taunton TA2 6PX
- HF Stiles & Son Ltd (8249), Chippenham SN15 2ED
- ABP (8285), Langport TA10 9HG
- C & S Meats Ltd (8354), Sherborne DT9 6HX
West Midlands:
- Pickstock Ltd (2536), Telford TF1 7FA
- Severn Valley Lamb Ltd (2569), Walsall WS6 6AY
- ABP (4073), Ellesmere SY12 9BL
- ABP (4109), Shrewsbury SY1 4AH
- Farmers Fresh Ltd (4133), Kenilworth CV8 1NN
- ABP (4182), Kingswinford DY6 7JS
- H P Westwood Ltd (4256), Burntwood WS7 1JJ
- Staffordshire Meat Packers Ltd (4373), Stoke-on-Trent ST2 9AL
- Robert G Tuckey Ltd (4392), Birmingham B46 2LG
- Corvedale Fresh Ltd (4451), Craven Arms SY7 9PA
- Birmingham Halal Abattoir Ltd (4496), Birmingham B5 7EJ
Yorkshire and the Humber:
- Dovecote Park Ltd (2045), Stapleton WF8 3DD
- Spenborough Abattoir (2091), Liversedge WF15 6PR
- Dunbia (2100), Carnaby YO15 3QY
- N Bramall & Son Ltd (2102), Sheffield S36 8YB
- ABP (2141), York YO19 5GH
- JA Mounfield & Son (2147), Bubwith YO8 6LS
- EV Slack & Sons (2199), Doncaster DN11 9EE
- Woolley Brothers Wholesale Meats Ltd (2241), Sheffield S20 3RW
- John Penny and Sons (2285), Leeds LS19 6NU
- L Wood and Sons (2291), Huddersfield DD3 3FW
- J & E Medcalf Ltd (2343), Holywell Green HX4 9BH
Wales
- Dunbia (7015), Llanybydder SA40 9QE
- Farmers Fresh Wales Ltd (7132), Wrexham LL13 0TS
- Pilgrims UK Lamb (7135), Powys SY18 6LX
- St Merryn Foods (7176), Merthyr CF48 2TA
Always check with your usual outlet as other abattoirs may also be designated or in the process of applying for designation.
Updates to this page
Published 26 April 2024Last updated 17 December 2024 + show all updates
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The processing of movement licence applications and tests will take longer over the Christmas period, so you will need to allow extra time. Information on cut-off times and turnaround times has been added to the page.
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Added one new entry to the list of designated slaughterhouses in Yorkshire and the Humber.
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Added content on where to find information on licences relating to slaughter and breeding markets.
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Updated general licence EXD630 (E) - General licence for movements of animals from within a bluetongue zone to a Designated slaughterhouse for slaughter during a period of low risk of transmission.
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Added C & S Meats Ltd (8354), Sherborne DT9 6HX to list of South West slaughterhouses.
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Added 'General licence for movements of animals from within a bluetongue zone to a Designated slaughterhouse for slaughter during a period of low risk of transmission (EXD630 (E))'
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Updated general licence EXD 603. Check carefully that the updated bluetongue general licence applies to you before making a movement and always download the latest version.
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Added Dunbia Jaspers (8113), AC Hopkins (Taunton) Ltd (8184) and H P Westwood Ltd (4256) to list of slaughterhouses.
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Added Mutchmeats Ltd (6207), Witney OX29 7GX to South East list of slaughterhouses.
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Added Ken Ballard Ltd (6128), Tonbridge TN12 9HS to South East list of slaughterhouses.
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Removed links to the movement licences EXD 606 (E) and EXD 608 (E). These licences are now hosted on a different web page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-approved-slaughter-markets-and-designated-breeding-sales
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Added 2 new general licences - EXD 606 (E) and EXD 608 (E). Updated the list of designated slaughterhouses for West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber.
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Added designated slaughterhouses in the North East and South West.
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Moved information about slaughter markets to a new page. The new page is titled: bluetongue-approved slaughter markets and breeding sales.
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Updated the list of designated slaughterhouses: added new abbatoirs for East Midlands, North West and South West.
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Updated the list of designated slaughterhouses for East Midlands and North West.
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Added new entries to the list of bluetongue approved slaughter markets.
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Added 1 new designated slaughterhouse in Yorkshire and the Humber.
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The page was updated to add a designated slaughterhouse in the East Midlands.
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The page has been updated to add 2 additional designated slaughterhouses in South West England.
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Removed information about 'Premises that have completed official bluetongue virus testing' that is now out of date.
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Added new designated slaughterhouses in the West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber.
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The page has been updated to add to the list of bluetongue approved slaughter markets.
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Added new designated slaughterhouses in East Midlands, South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber. Corrected the postcode of designated slaughterhouse John Penny and Sons (2285) in Leeds.
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Updated general licence EXD627 for movements of animals kept within a restricted zone, protection zone or surveillance zone to a Red Market outside of bluetongue zones for the purpose of sale for immediate slaughter.
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The page has been updated to add new designated slaughterhouses.
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Added new entries to the list of designated slaughterhouses.
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The page has been updated to add a designated slaughterhouse.
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The page has been updated to add designated slaughterhouses and approved markets.
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Added a licence for movements from bluetongue zones to approved slaughter markets (or 'red markets') outside bluetongue zones. Added a licence for movements from approved slaughter markets to designated slaughterhouses or restricted zone slaughterhouses.
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Updated the list of abattoirs that can slaughter animals from a bluetongue virus restricted premises under licence.
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Updated the list of designated slaughterhouses
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Added 4152 Beesons Ltd (CW1 5QF) to designated slaughterhouses.
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Updated general licences EXD 601 and EXD 603. Check carefully that the updated bluetongue general licence applies to you before making a movement and always download the latest version.
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Added 4 new general licences.
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Added EXD 612 (E) (GL) licence.
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Added 2045 Dovecote Park Ltd (Stapleton) (WF8 3DD) to Designated Slaughterhouses, removed Approval to move under the Movement of Animals Restrictions Order.
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Added general licence EXD 612 and updated the page with latest information
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Added general licence EXD 603 (E) (GL) for movements of animals kept within a restricted zone (RZ), protection zone (PZ) or surveillance zone (SZ) to a designated slaughterhouse in England or Wales, for the purpose of immediate slaughter.
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Added general licence EXD601 for movements of animals kept within or outside a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) to a slaughterhouse located in a TCZ in England, for the purpose of immediate slaughter. Also updated general licence EXD602 as it now applies to Wales as well as England.
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Updated the landing page by adding links to pdf versions of general licences EXD602 (E), EXD610 (E) and EXD611 (E). Also made updates with further information as a result of recent bluetongue cases.
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Updated the landing page to reflect changes caused as a result of a recent bluetongue case.
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Added a new entry to the list of designated slaughterhouses
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Abattoir added to the list of designated slaughterhouses.
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Added J A Jewitt (Meat) Ltd (DL16 7QD) and ABP Kingswinford (DY6 7JS) to designated slaughterhouses.
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Added 2536 Pickstock Telford Ltd, 2569 Severn Valley Lamb Ltd and 8071 Dunbia West Devon to the list of designated slaughterhouses.
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Abattoirs added to the list of designated slaughterhouses.
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Abattoirs added to the list of designated slaughterhouses.
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Abattoirs added to the list of designated slaughterhouses.
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Abattoirs added to the list of designated slaughterhouses.
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Abattoir added to the list of designated slaughterhouses.
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First published.