Current NSA updates on bluetongue

22nd January 2025

Key links:

11th March 2026
Revised Proposed Disease Control Strategy for Scotland in 2026

Vaccination

All bluetongue-susceptible animals moving from a RZ to Scotland to live, should be vaccinated for BTV-3 in line with a products label, with 21 days elapsing since completion of the primary course.
Animals moving from Scotland into a RZ can only return to Scotland if vaccinated.
Bovines must be vaccinated for BTV-3 using Bultavo-3 to move to Scotland to live.
Animals that are unable to be vaccinated must be tested for bluetongue ahead of a movement from a Restricted Zone to Scotland and within 7 calendar days of the move occurring.
It is strongly recommended that all bluetongue susceptible animals (sheep, cattle, goats, camelids, and other ruminants) are vaccinated for BTV-3.

Movement to live general conditions

All bluetongue susceptible animals, prior to move from an RZ to Scotland, should be fully vaccinated for BTV-3, with 21 days elapsing since completion of the primary/booster course in line with the product label.
Animals moving from Scotland to a RZ may only return to Scotland if vaccinated.
Bovines must be vaccinated using Bultavo-3.
Any unvaccinated animals must be PCR tested within 7 days of the move, prior to a movement to Scotland from an RZ.
No animal(s), regardless of being vaccinated or having tested negative for bluetongue, may move to Scotland to live from a premises where a BTV positive animal has been detected in the last 6 months.

Moves to shows/markets – Scotland to an RZ and returning to Scotland

The previous allowance of a four day period inside an RZ is withdrawn for 2026.
Animals moving from Scotland into a RZ can only return to Scotland if vaccinated.
All bluetongue susceptible animals moving into Scotland from other UK countries must be vaccinated for BTV-3, in line with a products label, with 21 days elapsing since completion of the primary/booster course.
Bovines must be vaccinated for BTV-3 using Bultavo-3, all other species may use any BTV-3 vaccine.
Any unvaccinated animals must be PCR tested with negative results within seven calendar days of the move, prior to a movement to Scotland from an event within the Restricted Zone

5th March 2026
DAERA and DAFM announce reciprocal Bluetongue derogations to ease trade (Northern Ireland update)

Agriculture Ministers on both sides of the border have today moved to lift animal movement restrictions for breeding and production which were introduced following the Bluetongue outbreaks in both jurisdictions.

Following extensive stakeholder engagement, Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir and Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon have authorised derogations that will allow for the recommencement of cross border movements of Bluetongue susceptible species like cattle and sheep from 9am on Friday 6th March.

Read more here or find all updates here.

10th December 2025
DAERA has announced plans to allow some animal movements.

Farmers in BTV-free areas not under restriction in Northern Ireland, will be able to move livestock to Great Britian (GB) with immediate effect, with no requirements beyond those normally in place.

Those who wish to export livestock to GB should contact their private veterinary practitioner in the normal manner.

Movements of animals into the two 20km Temporary Control Zones (TCZs) in County Down will also be permitted from today, using a general licence that can be downloaded from the DAERA website here.

A DAERA press release on this development can be accessed here.

Moves of susceptible species on or off farms in the two TCZs are still prohibited.

Moves direct to slaughter, however, are permitted under a general licence available on DAERA’s website here.

1st December 2025
Over the weekend BTV-3 was detected in 2 cows in Northern Ireland.
The case was suspected and a 20km restricted zone put in place around the farm in question. The case has since been confirmed and DAERA has issued guidance available here.

You can also find the news released from DAERA on Saturday here.

Following discussions with DAERA, with regards to the temporary control zone (TCZ) they will now test 20 large herds within the 20km zone to detect the level of disease within the locality. A text message and email will be sent to all farmers who will be in the TCZ to confirm who they are by end of the day.

For trade:

Live export to ROI/EU for slaughter only is permitted. Current measures with EHC and vet check is applicable only addition is 48hrs notice required from exporter to slaughter facility.
Export for breeding / production prohibited to ROI/EU.
Suspended live export to Britain currently but awaiting advice on what Britain will accept by end of the week.
Can transit through TCZ for those outside the zone to reach a destination.
No movement of animals into the TCZ.
Semen/embryo collection can take place, AI services can operate in zone but no embryo/semen can move out of zone.
There is no differentiation between vaccinated and unvaccinated animals as of yet.

31st October 2025
Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) – Declaration of an all-Wales Restricted Zone
Welsh Government to Declare All-Wales Bluetongue (BTV-3) Restricted Zone from 10th November

16th October 2025
As per RH&W’s information on their movement checker, sheep do not require testing to move from England into Scotland. This includes breeding rams. It is recommended any sheep moving to Scotland are vaccinated.

1st October 2025
Following APHA surveillance of the recent BTV-3 cases in Wales, the Welsh Govt (WG) declared a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Monmouthshire from 6pm on 1st October. The details of this zone are available here. All movements on and off premises within this zone need to be in accordance with the general licence (these need to be observed rather than approved and issued), and Specific Licence (these need approval prior to moves taking place). These licences will be available shortly on the WG web site and an explanation of the requirements is available on the WG site here. These licences allow for most moves in and out of the TCZ and we encourage keepers to study the details.

29th September 2025
Two bluetongue cases were confirmed in Wales on 26th September. One case near Chepstow and another near Presteigne. At this stage they are being investigated and full tracings being carried out and no decisions made over zoning yet. The farms in question are being tested and are under restriction and the positive cases are being culled.

There has also been one case of BTV-8 identified in a single ewe near Launceston, Cornwall. There is evidence that this came over from Brittany in a midge plume on the 9th or 10th of Sept. Though there is no evidence yet that BTV-8 is circulating here.

21st September 2025
Scotland movement restrictions were relaxed on 21st September 2025.

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.

Use the Bluetongue Movement checker from Ruminant Health and Welfare to understand the rules for your animals.

Lower temperatures in Scotland should prevent midges spreading the disease, so some movement rules can be relaxed. However, low risk does not mean no risk, and breeding animals in particular still pose risks. Find more here.

14th August 2025
Livestock movement restrictions in place to limit Bluetongue virus spread will be eased for non-pregnant breeding animals by the Scottish Government from Monday 21st September.

The government has stated the following:

It is recommended that animals are fully vaccinated in accordance with the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions.
From 21 September, a pre-movement test is not required to move a pregnant sheep or goat from the restricted zone to Scotland.
For movements from the restricted zone to Scotland, male breeding sheep must, prior to any involvement in breeding activity in Scotland, undertake a pre-movement test within 7 calendar days ahead of the movement, or a post-movement test following the movement, with a negative result obtained.
Pregnant animals remain a threat to disease spread. They gave give birth to infectious offspring months later, when higher temperatures may lead to local BTV circulation and outbreaks

4th August 2025
Important changes to the Bluetongue restrictions currently in place in Wales will come into effect Monday 18th August.

From then, Welsh livestock that have completed a course of a Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination, will be able to attend English markets within 20km of the Welsh border.

Markets eligible to hold dedicated sales of vaccinated Welsh only livestock include Bishops Castle, Hereford, Kington, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ross-on-Wye and Shrewsbury, and must adhere to specific conditions.

Animals attending these markets and returning to Wales must also complete the movement within the same day and are subject to the conditions of a general licence.

Animals cannot remain at the market overnight and these animals will not be subject to any pre- or post-movement testing requirements where all conditions have been met.

25th July 2025
DAERA has announced this week that the voluntary use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines in Northern Ireland, subject to licensing, is now permitted.

The vaccines are intended to reduce the severity of clinical signs and mortality in affected animals, though they do not prevent infection or transmission.

While Northern Ireland remains free of the disease, livestock keepers and veterinary practitioners will now be able to take early, informed action as a precautionary, secondary line of defence against the disease.

The decision brings Northern Ireland into line with the voluntary, licensed use of BTV-3 vaccines in Scotland, Wales and England and reflects the evolving risk picture and demand for tools that can help build resilience against animal disease threats.

Guidance, applications and supporting information, including FAQs, and practical steps for herd keepers and veterinary practitioners, is available on the DAERA website.

14th July 2025
From 14th July, animals can be moved from the Restricted Zone to a bluetongue approved red market in Wales, for direct onward movement to a designated slaughterhouse in Wales or one within the restricted zone.

Animals brought to these markets would not require vaccination or pre-movement testing.

Find out more here.

20th June 2025
NSA has this week written a letter to Welsh Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca Davies urging Welsh Government to change its decision not to join England as one bluetongue (BTV) Restricted Zone (RZ) from Tuesday 1st July 2025.

The decision that was announced last week, NSA believes will have a damaging impact not only on livestock producers and markets in the Welsh borders area – of which there are more than 550, but also on farmers selling and buying from major breeding sales.

Find the letter here.

13th June 2025
NSA has expressed its disappointment that the Welsh Government has dismissed industry recommendations for Wales to become part of the larger bluetongue (BTV) restricted zone (RZ) from 1st July along with England to enable free movements across the Welsh/England border.

Phil says: “The Welsh Government’s aim is to keep BTV out of Wales but this decision will create real disruption for farmers in both England and Wales.” From 20th June, any animals coming from the currently RZ in England into Wales will need to be pre-movement tested and then from 1st July any sheep (and goats and cows) moving from anywhere in England into Wales to live will need to be pre-movement tested.

“From 1st July the Government financial support to cover the cost of pre-movement testing will also end meaning a cost of between £60 and £70 per head will have to be borne by farmers needing to test. There is also still only one laboratory able to carry out the tests which could also create problems for farmers waiting for results,” says Phil. “NSA can foresee this will result in very few animals being able to move to live across the border into Wales.”

In addition, on 1st July abatoirs in Wales will need to reinstate their BTV restrictions so they will need to be a designated abatoir to take any sheep from England and will also need to re-implement the controls that go along with that designation. “This will have a massive impact on markets, shows and sales,” explains Phil. “Any animal being moved from England from 1st July to a Welsh market would need to be pre-movement tested. Markets, shows and sales in England will be free to take animals from farmers in Wales but farmers will need to be aware that if there is a possibility they might want to return to Wales with them or if they are bought by someone else wanting to return them to Wales, they will need a pre-movement test before being taken back.” Wales has confirmed it is happy for animals to be moved from Scotland to Wales through England from 1st July as long as there are no stops made by the transporter in England, except for emergencies.

NSA Cymru/Wales Region Development Officer Helen Roberts says: “It is disappointed the Welsh Government has not listened to our repeated calls to align with England and join the RZ on the 1st July. We are fully aware keeping a disease out and ensuring high levels of biosecurity is a priority but in this case the disease is spread by a midge that will not respect the border between England and Wales.

“This decision will have a huge impact on the whole industry but especially on sheep movements and the impending breeding sales for both rams and ewes, cross border farms and livestock markets will be severely affected by these changes.

“NSA Cymru/Wales Region will continue to engage with Welsh Government to ensure these rules are reviewed at regular intervals to ensure the industry can process and communicate any changes in a timely manner, to make sure the supply chain continues to operate with as little disruption as possible. “

NSA reminds members that vaccination is an important tool in the box to help mitigate the spread of this disease so please talk to your vet about vaccination and protecting your flock.

9th June 2025
Following a recent update, Scottish Government has clarified the pre-movement testing controls for movements from the restricted zone (RZ) in England to Scotland.

Previously the update said 'working days' when it should have been 'calendar days'. It has also been agreed that a pre-movement test may be valid for 10 calendar days up until the 1st July, after which it will be valid for seven calendar days.

Changes to movement controls have now been updated on the Scottish Government bluetongue pages at the following here for an overview or here for licensing.

There will be specific requirements in place for ruminant animals which need to move out of the Restricted Zone to Scotland, currently free from restrictions. This information will also be available on the Scottish government website.

23rd May 2025
On 1 July 2025 the restricted zone for bluetongue will be extended to cover all of England.

NSA is encouraging all sheep farmers to speak to their vets regarding vaccination following the government announcement. Vaccination remains the most effective long-term option for disease control. If you vaccinate your animals you must report it within 48 hours.

The new restriction zone will mean you will be able to move animals within England without a bluetongue licence or test.

Wales and Scotland are considering future BTV control measures, updates can be found on their government sites.

18th May 2025
The restricted zone (RZ) and infected area has been extended to include Lancashire and the remainder of North Yorkshire on 18th May 2025.

The zone now covers Bedfordshire, Berkshire (part), Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, City of York, Dorset, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Devon (part), East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire (part), Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire (part), Somerset (part), Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire (part), West Sussex and Wiltshire (additional part).

12th May 2025
Pre-movement testing exemptions have been extended to 12 June 2025. This means that you do not have to test non-breeding animals over 60 days old before moving them out of the restricted zone.

You must apply for a specific movement licence to move animals out of the restricted zone.

The animals you currently have to test are:

entire males intended for breeding
females that are pregnant or have unknown pregnancy status
youngstock that are under 60 days old at the time of movement - these animals require a single test before they can be moved - unless they are travelling at foot with the maternal dam, in which case you can just test the maternal dam by PCR and ELISA
animals being moved for germinal product collection (ova, semen or embryo)

This exemption may end sooner if the risk of bluetongue transmission increases..

2nd May 2025
Two of the three bluetongue vaccines available in the UK have now been given marketing authorisation (BLUEVAC-3 and BULTAVO 3) and the third vaccine (Syvazul) is still available on emergency marketing authorisation. All are available to farmers and NSA advises discussing with your vet to check availability and choose which to use.

From yesterday, Scotland has also approved the three vaccines on the same basis as the approval in England and Wales so farmers can vaccinate their animals. Scottish farmers should report their vaccine use via ScotEID.

NSA would like to remind farmers that sheep still require a pre-movement test to move out of the Restricted Zone whether or not they have been vaccinated.

15th April 2025
Bluetongue testing ease extended
BTV controls extended from the 23rd April to 15th May, assuming no major changes in circumstances before then. This will be reviewed again in early May.

Animals that are pregnant, entire males for breeding or 60 days or under at the time of movement must be pre-movement tested by PCR with negative results before moving. All animal movements out of the BTV RZ still require an application for a specific licence. Keepers should continue to apply to APHA for a licence in good time (at least 10 days before the movement).

Keepers are still urged to be vigilant for signs of BTV (FMD and other diseases). At this stage, it has been decided unnecessary to restart the requirement for slaughtering to take place at designated abattoirs. It has also been decided not to mandate the use of insecticides in vehicles prior to loading in the RZ. They will review both these again in May.

26th March 2025
Bluetongue testing laws eased in restricted zone (RZ)
A temporary easing of testing requirements for certain livestock classes in the bluetongue restricted zone has been welcomed by the NSA.

Dry ewe lambs and store lambs can now be moved outside the restricted zone without a pre-movements test after today’s (26 March) Defra notification.

NSA urges members to read a comprehensive summary of the rule changes here, and understand the change is temporary and will apply until no later than 23 April, although the easing period could be shorter depending on how risk factors for BTV change in the coming weeks.

Only the following animals will still require both a pre-movement test and a specific movement licence to move out of the RZ:

Entire males intended for use in breeding
Pregnant females (or pregnancy status unknown)
Youngstock that are aged 60 days or younger at the time of the movement, unless
they are travelling at foot with the maternal dam - in this case, you can test the
maternal dam by PCR and ELISA

NSA Policy manager Michael Priestley said this should ease workload on vet teams working for farms who have outwintered ewe lambs in the restricted zone.

“Living with Bluetongue restrictions has been extraordinarily difficult for sheep farmers and livestock markets, creating huge issues over marketing and movements, so anything to lessen the burden is to be welcomed,” he says.

“The timing of the change may mean farmers wintering some classes of non-pregnant stock, such as ewe lambs, can move their sheep home or to spring grazing more easily at a time when the seasonally low vector period means there is a lower bluetongue risk.

“As a notifiable disease spread by the Culicoides midge, sheep farmers should be aware that this easing is temporary and subject to incidences of the virus and weather patterns.”

Read the full 'Defra note' PDF in the downloads on the side of this page.

19th March 2025
A new Battle Bluetongue tool has been created to help vets and farmers assess the potential economic risk or return for a farm considering vaccinating flocks and herds against BTV-3 this year.

This calculator has been added to the armoury of resources available for vets and farmers to use in the Battle Bluetongue vaccination campaign launched for farmers in England and Wales in February 2025 - developed by AHDB and Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) in collaboration with key veterinary and industry associations.

A webinar to explain the benefits of using the calculator and a live demonstration on how to use it is taking place on 26th March. A technical update on BTV-3 and recent findings will be provided as well as a practical update from vets Fiona Lovatt and Joe Henry. View the BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator here

12th March 2025
The NSA is encouraging farmers and vets to reference a Ruminant Health & Welfare template on vaccinating against Bluetongue.
The simple traffic-light coded template asks questions on farmer's flocks and farms to assist with making decisions on vaccinations.

Find the template here.

18th February 2025

The low vector period continues and is expected to remain in place until around mid-March – although this has not yet been confirmed and is dependant on midge activity. The RZ has been extended to include Dorset. To check if you are within the zone, see the interactive map here https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=514ec88edec74575958d860f0196d2ea. NSA urges farmers wanting to move sheep from within the RZ to sales or to return home from tack to do so quickly to take advantage of only requiring a pre-movement test. Pirbright who carry out the testing has this week confirmed it has caught up with a backlog of tests. However, capacity is still stretched and NSA would suggest prioritising in-ewe lambs for testing to avoid delays resulting in them not being moved back home in time for lambing.

AHDB and RH&W yesterday launched a vaccination campaign ‘Battle Bluetongue’. To date 19,771 sheep have been vaccinated and vet reports suggest the total number of vaccinated animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, camelids and reindeer is almost 39,000. The three vaccines available in England have now been approved for use in Wales and we await a date of introduction along with a process to report vaccinated animals. This is expected from Welsh government next week. Sheep farmers in England can get vaccination guidance and report their vaccinated animals here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-licence-for-bluetongue-serotype-3-btv-3-vaccine.

All famers and vets are invited to join a webinar next Wednesday, 26th February between 5pm and 6pm to hear more about the campaign and a disease update. Sign up here to join live or receive a recording: Registration.

22nd January 2025 - Seasonally vector low period for bluetongue begins

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has announced yesterday (21st January) that we are now in the seasonally vector low period for bluetongue virus.

Due to a decrease in temperature, midge activity is lower, with midges not actively feeding, meaning there is a very low risk of new infections from biting midges.

As a result, some restrictions currently in place to mitigate disease spread will be eased. These include: removing the requirements for post-movement testing of animals out of the Restricted Zone (RZ); the use of insecticide on transport vehicles; and the need to send animals moving outside of the RZ for slaughter to designated abattoirs. These changes came into force at midday on 21st January.

As a precautionary measure, the RZ currently in place across affected regions along the east and south coast of England will remain whilst discussions with industry continue on next steps.

All animals moving out of the RZ will still require a pre-movement test to enable them to acquire a specific licence unless going direct to slaughter or to a dedicated slaughter market.

Farmers should continue to monitor their animals frequently for clinical signs and make sure their animals and land are registered with APHA so that animals can be located in the event of an outbreak.

BTV is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of BTV in animals in England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301.

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December 2025

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