National Sheep Association welcomes end to bluetongue movement licences in Scotland
2nd October 2026
National Sheep Association (NSA) welcomes the Scottish Government decision to extend the bluetongue restricted zone across the whole of Scotland. The decision is a practical one, and it removes a significant administrative burden at the busiest point in the autumn trading calendar.
From Saturday 3rd October 2026, the restricted zone in south-west Scotland will cover the whole country. With all of Scotland sharing the same disease status, licences will no longer be needed to move sheep, cattle and other susceptible livestock into, within or out of the existing zone.
NSA was one of the industry organisations involved in discussions with the Scottish Government ahead of the decision, alongside NFU Scotland, the Scottish Beef Association, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland and QMS.
Some conditions remain in place. Animals showing clinical signs of bluetongue must not be moved, and any suspected case must be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Michael Priestley, NSA Policy Manager, says:
“The National Sheep Association supports the decision to simplify trading rules at this time of the year as risk of transmission decreases in autumn as the Culicoides midge activity falls as temperatures fall.
“Farmers should be aware that there is a trade-off between the benefit of eased restrictions and a reduced bureaucratic burden that brings an increased risk of the virus spreading. This trade-off is being made because of the faith in the vaccine technology, which to date has offered excellent coverage to livestock in affected areas of the UK.”
