Move animals from the bluetongue restricted zone to a market
Licences to move animals to market from a bluetongue restricted zone.
Applies to England
The UK is in a seasonally vector low period (SVLP). This means the risk of transmission of bluetongue is now very low. Seasonally vector low periods allow licence conditions to be eased in the UK but may not be recognised by third countries. You must still have a licence to move animals out of a restricted zone.
For any bluetongue susceptible animal movement out of a bluetongue restricted zone make sure that you:
- use the right licence
- download the latest version of the licence as they are updated from time to time
- keep a copy with you when you move animals under the licence
| General licence | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| EXD634 (GB) | To move animals kept within a restricted zone (RZ) to a slaughterhouse in England or Wales, for the purpose of immediate slaughter. |
| To move animals originating from a restricted zone (RZ) from a market to its final destination. |
Move animals to a market (not for immediate slaughter)
During the seasonally vector low period you can move animals that originate from a restricted zone, and are not intended for immediate slaughter, to a market anywhere in Great Britain. If any part of the move will require animals to leave the restricted zone, you will require both:
- specific licence (EXD632) to move animals directly to the market
- general licence to move the animals from the market directly to their destination premises
You must have a pre-movement bluetongue test with negative results for any animals leaving the restricted zone. Find out how to get free bluetongue testing for your animals. The market will require a copy of your EXD632 specific licence which will confirm that the animals listed in Part 2 of that licence have been tested for bluetongue and had negative results returned.
If testing is required, samples can be taken within 21 days of the movement. This period maybe reduced as we approach the end of the seasonally vector low period. The rules for testing offspring travelling at foot with their dam have been eased.
If the dam tests negative for bluetongue, we are permitting offspring born on or after 1 December 2024 to travel at foot without pre-movement testing. The animals must not be showing clinical signs at the time of sampling or movement. These animals can move from the RZ into England, Scotland or Wales. This is only permitted during the SVLP.
You do not need a licence if you know your animals will not leave the bluetongue restricted zone at any point in the sale. Your auctioneer may be able to offer your animals for sale to clients that will only buy stock to move to premises within the same restricted zone. If you are unsure, apply for specific licence EXD632 and complete bluetongue testing of your animals in advance to make sure any move out of the restricted zone can take place.
Animals intended to be sold via a market must:
- be individually identified and have no signs of bluetongue infection
- have a specific licence in most cases
- have a general licence to leave the market direct to their onward destination - this must be endorsed by the market operator before leaving the market
With a general licence, you are allowed multiple drop-offs of animals at their final destination after leaving the market. This only applies during the SVLP.
You must apply for a specific licence to move animals (not intended for slaughter) to a market or onward destination outside of the restricted zone during the SVLP. Animals will require pre-movement testing as a condition of the movement licence.
Move animals to a market for onward movement for immediate slaughter
Movements from the market must be direct to slaughter. Any animal moving out of the restriction zone for slaughter must comply with EXD634 (GB). No testing is required for such animals.
If animals have moved out of the restricted zone without testing, the market operator can only permit buyers to purchase these animals for movement direct to slaughter.
You are allowed multiple drop-offs of animals after leaving the market. This only applies during the SVLP.
Move animals from outside the restricted zone into a market in the restricted zone
Animals from premises outside the restricted zone moving to a market inside the restricted zone may be sold and moved immediately back out of the zone without testing – direct to slaughter under EXD634 (GB) or to another premises under general licence . They may be sold to a premises in the zone without testing or licence. If they then leave a premises in the restricted zone, they will be subject to the rules in place at the time of movement.
Approved red markets and approved breeding markets
Approved red markets and approved breeding markets are suspended during the seasonally vector low period.
Updates to this page
Published 22 October 2024Last updated 12 February 2025 + show all updates
-
Information had been added about the timeframe for samples and we have clarified the rules for animals intended to be sold via a market.
-
Updated general licence EXD634 to move animals kept within a restricted zone (RZ) to a slaughterhouse in England or Wales for the purpose of immediate slaughter. Updated general licence EXD637 to move animals originating from a restricted zone (RZ) from a market to their final destination.
-
The UK is now in a seasonally vector low period (SVLP) and the guidance has been updated to reflect this. Use general licence EXD634 (E) for movements of animals kept within a restricted zone (RZ), to a dedicated slaughter market in England or direct to slaughterhouse in Great Britain, for the purpose of immediate slaughter. Apply for a specific licence to move animals from the RZ to a market outside of the RZ. Use general licence EXD637 to move animals not intended for immediate slaughter from the market to the final destination. Markets approvals are suspended during the seasonal in the SVLP. Removed licences and information about approved breeding and slaughter markets.
-
The UK is now in a seasonally vector low period (SVLP) and the guidance has been updated to reflect this. Use general licence EXD634 (E) for movements of animals kept within a restricted zone (RZ), to a dedicated slaughter market in England or direct to slaughterhouse in Great Britain, for the purpose of immediate slaughter. Added information about moving animals to other types of markets.
-
Removed information about laboratory services, licence applications and deadlines over the Christmas period.
-
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.
-
Updated EXD 608 (E) - General licence for the movement of animals from a bluetongue approved dedicated breeding sale.
-
Added Thirsk Farmers Auction Mart Co Ltd as a bluetongue approved dedicated breeding sale market.
-
Added 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' and removed general licences EXD627(E) and EXD628(E).
-
Updated the guidance under the 'Bluetongue-approved dedicated breeding animal sales at markets' heading.
-
Replaced document 'EXD628(E)' with updated version
-
Added 'Rugby Farmers Market (RM-10) Stoneleigh Park, CV8 2RG' to the list of bluetongue-approved slaughter markets in England.
-
Added a market (BM-01) to the list of bluetongue-approved breeding animal sales markets in England. Added links to movement licences EXD 606 (E) and EXD 608 (E). Updated the 'Bluetongue approved dedicated breeding animal sales at markets' section to reflect the latest conditions for moving breeding animals to bluetongue-approved dedicated breeding markets.
-
Added information to the 'Bluetongue approved dedicated breeding animal sales at markets' section to clarify the conditions of moving breeding animals to bluetongue approved dedicated breeding markets. Added new section 'Bluetongue approved breeding animal sales markets in England'.
-
First published.