Animal Plant Health Agency
Details
Check if youre in a zone on the bluetongue disease control zone map.
Due to a decrease in temperature, we are now in a seasonally vector low period, when midge activity is much lower, and they are not actively feeding. Low temperatures also mean that the virus cannot replicate in the midge, so even if a midge does feed on an infected animal, the risk of transmission to another animal is low.
The reduced risk from midges means that some movements of live animals out of the zone are can now be temporarily permitted subject to pre-movement testing and that they meet certain licence conditions. These relaxations will only apply during periods of low vector activity and will not apply to animals that test positive for virus (PCR test) or antibodies (serology test) in a pre-movement test. If an animal tests positive for antibodies a decision whether to grant the licence will be made on a case- by-case basis.
You can apply for a movement to a premises anywhere in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), including to a market, using this form.
The movement will only be permitted if the animal tests negative to a pre-movement test taken on or after 18 January 2024. You may be asked by the APHA licensing team to organise a visit by your private vet to take samples for PCR and serology testing. You will have to pay for this visit. The samples will currently be tested free of charge. You will receive further information after your licence application has been submitted.
Specific movement licences are available if you need to move animals from:
- the free area into theTCZpermanently (for example, breeding stock)
- theTCZto go direct to slaughter at a designated slaughterhouse in the free area (all new slaughterhouse designations are subject to review and risk assessment)
You can also apply for a specific movement licence if theres an urgent and genuine welfare need to move animals, including short moves out of the TCZ.
If a welfare licence is approved out of aTCZ, the animals will be placed under restriction. You may be asked by theAPHAlicensing 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.
Complete the form and email it tooutbreak.licensing@apha.gov.uk.
You should apply as soon as possible for any activity that may require a licence. APHA will aim to turn-round applications as quickly as possible to meet demands.
Please 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.
You must make contingency plans to allow for the time it takes to issue the licence. Consider what steps you will need to take if the licence is refused or cannot be issued in time.
If a licence is issued, it will normally allow for a one-off movement. It will be subject to certain conditions based on disease control risk.
Slaughterhouses
List of abattoirs that can slaughter animals from the free area and from within a TCZ. For moves out of a TCZ, the move must be direct.
- 5106 Dunbia Cardington (MK44 3SB)
- 5116 Dovecote Park (Skellingthorpe) (LN6 5TX)
- 5207 HG Blake (Costessey) Ltd (NR10 4DU)
- 5280 Fowler Bros (Latchingdon) Ltd (CM0 8NA)
- 5319 Romford Halal Meats Ltd (RM4 1TH)
- 6238 ABP Guildford (GU1 1RP)
- 6326 J R Farm Meats (CT3 3HN)
Always check with your usual outlet as other abattoirs may also be designated or in the process of applying for designation.
Get help
Contact the APHA customer advice team if you have a general query about bluetongue.
Telephone: 03000 200 301