Changes to movement controls for animals moving into Scotland from the restricted zone
From 21 September 2025, there will be a relaxation of certain movement controls on bluetongue susceptible animals moving from the restricted zone into Scotland.
Based on historic average temperatures in the warmest parts of Scotland, it has been assessed that it would be unlikely for midges to be able to bite an infected animal and further spread BTV virus in Scotland beyond 21 September. This date takes into account the uncertainty in future temperatures, and the modelling for virus and midge behaviour. This means that stores, fattening stock and non-pregnant females would not, even if they came to Scotland infected, pose a risk of BTV getting into Scottish midges and creating local circulation.
Pregnant breeding animals will still pose a risk of disease spread, because if they arrive infected, they can give birth to infectious offspring months later, when higher temperatures may lead to local circulation and potential outbreaks of BTV in Scotland. As such, the relaxation of controls in Scotland differs for non-breeding and breeding/pregnant animals, and also for sheep and cattle (due to the different length of their pregnancies) as outlined below.
This does not mean the disease itself becomes less serious: infected animals can suffer harshly with bluetongue, ranging from high mortality in sheep, severe fertility problems in any species, and significant milk drop in cattle. The purchase of infected animals may still result in significant losses for the buyer.
Safe sourcing and vaccination for BTV-3 are strongly recommended. Vaccines will reduce the severity of disease, including mortality and productivity losses. Furthermore, in the case of cattle, the Bultavo-3 vaccine in particular is accepted as an alternative to pre or post movement testing.
A general licence will follow in due course to facilitate these movements from the restricted zone into Scotland and information will be available on gov.scot.
Testing costs will be at the keepers’ expense and are undertaken by the Pirbright Institute. Upon receipt of your sample, testing will be started as soon as possible. The Pirbright Institute will send you an invoice and payment should be made as soon as possible. This will not impact the start of testing of samples and reporting of your results.
Moves from the restricted zone to Scotland
Stores, fattening stock and non-pregnant females of any species:
It is recommended that animals are fully vaccinated in accordance with the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions.
From 21 September, testing is not required to move non-breeding animals or females that are not pregnant from the restricted zone to Scotland.
Pregnant animals:
Cattle
- It is recommended that animals are fully vaccinated in accordance with the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions.
- Pregnant cattle must be pre-movement tested within 7 calendar days of the movement from the restricted zone to Scotland.
- Pregnant cattle that have completed a full primary course of vaccination with Bultavo-3, in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, where 21 days have elapsed since administration of second dose (and boosted where required), will not require a pre-movement test to move from the restricted zone to Scotland.
Sheep and goats
- 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.
Deer and camelids
- Keepers should consult their vets for advice in relation to the vaccination of deer and camelids.
- All pregnant deer and camelids must be pre-movement tested within 7 calendar days of a movement from the restricted zone to Scotland.
Breeding males:
Cattle
- It is recommended that animals are fully vaccinated in accordance with the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions.
- Breeding male bovines must be pre-movement tested within 7 calendar days of a movement from the restricted zone to Scotland.
- Bovines that have completed a full primary course of vaccination with Bultavo-3 in accordance to the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions, and where 21 days have elapsed since administration of second dose (and boosted where required), will not require a pre-movement test to move from the restricted zone to Scotland.
- It is recommended that a pre-breeding test be undertaken in Scotland to establish the disease status of the animal, before that animal is involved in breeding activity.
Sheep
- It is recommended that animals are fully vaccinated in accordance with the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions.
- 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.
Goats
- Keepers should consult their vets for advice in relation to the vaccination of goats.
- For movements from the restricted zone to Scotland, male breeding goats 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.
Deer and camelids
- Keepers should consult their vets for advice on the vaccination of deer and camelid.
- Male deer and camelids must be pre-movement tested within 7 calendar days of the movement from restricted zone to Scotland.
Clinical Signs
If you suspect signs of any notifiable animal diseases, you must immediately notify your local APHA office. Failure to do so is an offence.
In sheep
Sheep are more likely to show obvious clinical signs of bluetongue than cattle if they become infected. Signs of bluetongue in sheep include:
- ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose
- discharge from the eyes or nose and drooling from mouth.
- swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck, and the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot)
Other clinical signs include:
- red skin, as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface
- fever
- lameness
- breathing problems
- abortion
- death
In cattle
Signs of the disease include:
- lethargy
- crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle
- redness of the mouth, eyes, nose
- reddening of the skin above the hoof
- nasal discharge
- reddening and erosions on the teats
- fever
- milk drop
- not eating
- abortion
Adult cattle may serve as a source of virus for several weeks while displaying little or no clinical signs of disease and are often the preferred host for insect vectors.
In calves
Calves can become infected with bluetongue before birth if the mother is infected while pregnant. Signs of infection include:
- calves born small, weak, deformed or blind
- death of calves within a few days of birth
- abortions
Livestock keepers and vets should consider bluetongue as a possible cause for abortions or calves showing these signs.
Photos of clinical signs
Defra have published some photos of clinical signs of bluetongue disease.
We encourage all cattle owners to:
- Source animals responsibly.
- Source germinal products responsibly and be aware of the disease status of exporting countries and collection centres.
- Be aware of the current disease situation in exporting countries.
- When importing animals from Europe, if appropriate, request a pre-export PCR test for epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHDV) and BTV before animals are imported.
- Ensure any animals imported have the correct paperwork and are compliant with the conditions in the export health certificate.
- Keep any susceptible animals that have been imported separate from other animals whilst under restriction.