Bluetongue Virus

Updated: 16/04/2025

Bluetongue FAQs

Latest bluetongue virus update

This page will be updated regularly with resources and information – for any queries email RuminantHW@ahdb.org.uk 

Latest update 16 April 2025

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain for the 2024 to 2025 vector season is 259 (257 in England and 2 (high risk moves) in Wales).

The total number of BTV-12 cases in Great Britain for the 2024 to 2025 vector season is one (in England).

The location of all premises in Great Britain where one or more animals have tested positive by PCR to bluetongue serotype 3 or serotype 12 is available on the bluetongue case map. By clicking on the map layer icon you can also see the restricted zone and infected area as well as density maps for cattle and sheep numbers.

Recent BTV-3 updates

Pre-movement update 15/04/25

Pre-movement update

The UK is still in a low risk period of vector transmission. This is when midges are active but are unlikely to be infectious. The risk of vector transmission of bluetongue is considered very low.

The bluetongue control rules remain the same during this period.

Pre movement testing exemptions have been extended to 15 May 2025. This means that you do not have to test animals which are over 60 days old, (subject to them not being pregnant, or entire males intended for breeding) before moving them out of the restricted zone. You must still apply for a specific movement licence to move animals out of the restricted zone. This exemption may end sooner if the risk of bluetongue transmission increases.

If you have already applied for a movement licence

If you have already had pre-movement samples taken, you will need to wait for the results before moving your animals.

If you booked sampling for exempt animals before 26 March and it takes place on or after 31 March, you will need to contact:

  • your vet to cancel the test
  • APHA’s licensing team on the application portal to confirm that the animals listed are now exempt from testing – we can then progress your application

Licences waiting for pre-movement sampling or testing that has already been booked will continue up until 31 March 2025.

Pre-movement update 27/03/25

Pre-movement testing exemptions until 23 April 2025

Until 23 April 2025, you do not need to test non-breeding animals over the age of 60 days before being moved out of the restricted zone.  This temporary change reflects the current low risk of moving these animals out of the zone.

The only animals you currently need to test before movement are:

  • entire males intended for breeding
  • females that are pregnant or have unknown pregnancy status
  • youngstock if they 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

You must still apply for a specific movement licence for moving animals out of the restricted zone.  

This is a temporary change that will apply until 23 April 2025, although we may end the exemption sooner if the risk of bluetongue virus transmission has increased.

If you have already applied for a movement licence

If you have already had pre-movement samples taken, you will need to wait for the results before moving your animals.

If you booked sampling for exempt animals before 26 March and it takes place on or after 31 March, you will need to contact:

  • your vet to cancel the test
  • APHA’s licensing team on the application portal to confirm that the animals listed are now exempt from testing – we can then progress your application

Licences waiting for pre-movement sampling or testing that has already been booked will continue up until 31 March 2025.

BTV-3 update 15/03/25

15 March 2025

6 new cases confirmed positive for BTV-3 on 15 March 2025:

  • one calf confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Herefordshire, following report of birth defects.
  • one bovine was confirmed positive in the restricted zone in West Sussex, following a positive pre-movement test
  • 3 bovines confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Essex, following a pre-movement test
  • 3 bovines confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Norfolk, following a pre-movement test
  • one bovine confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Devon, following a pre-movement test
  • 6 bovines confirmed positive in the restricted zone in Hampshire, following a pre-movement test
View all the BTV-3 updates here: 

Latest bluetongue announcement

Bluetongue events and webinars
Bluetongue movement restrictions and licences

What is bluetongue?

Bluetongue (BTV) is a viral disease transmitted by biting midges, which affects all ruminants (e.g. sheep, cattle, goats and deer) and camelids (e.g. llama and alpaca). 

The latest strain, BTV-3 appear to mimic BTV-8 in its behaviour, however the existing BTV-8 serotype vaccine will not offer cross protection against this new strain.

BTV hotline: 024 7771 0386
Battle Bluetongue campaign
Subscribe for disease alerts
List of designated abattoirs

Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.


Click to view the APHA interactive BTV map

Additional Resources

Advice to farmers and vets

RH&W’s advice to farmers and their vets remains three-fold, farmers need to beware when buying animals in, take action to report any signs, and always, remain vigilant and monitor livestock closely. 

To ‘act’ on BTV-3, be aware of how bluetongue is transmitted as a vector-borne disease, take caution against misinformation, and promote evidence-based tactics on-farm.

  1. Awareness of how BTV-3 is transmitted as a vector-borne disease
  2. Caution against any misinformation, but instead view the latest facts
  3. Tactics on-farm to help with midge control must be evidence-based

Restricted Zone (RZ)/Infected Area (IA) - movement scenarios and licence requirements

Movements to markets for breeding animals

Bluetongue-approved dedicated Breeding animal sales at markets

You can now move breeding animals to bluetongue-approved dedicated breeding markets as long as:

  • the movement is within England (animals cannot move to Scotland or Wales) 
  • the animals are individually identified  
  • the animals have tested negative for bluetongue before you move them 
  • you follow the conditions specified in your [general licence]#breeding-gl) as a seller, buyer or market

A bluetongue-approved dedicated breeding market is a place where breeding animals will either leave a bluetongue zone: 

  • to attend the market 
  • once purchased at the market 

You do not need a bluetongue movement licence if your animals are only moving within:

  • a free area
  • the same bluetongue restricted zone

Breeding animals: sell at approved markets 

To move breeding animals to a dedicated breeding sale, you must:  

Breeding animals: buy and move to destination 

To buy breeding animals at a bluetongue-approved dedicated breeding sale, you must:  

  • Provide an accurate address for the final destination in England 
  • Organise and test the animals for bluetongue 6 to 10 days after leaving the market 
  • Keep them at the destination premises until they have negative post-movement results.
Movement of BTV-3 vaccinated animals from a holding within the RZ out of the RZ to live

Current status: You must apply for a specific licence 

Legislation applicable RZ/IA: *the holding must not be under BTV premises restriction

Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

BTV-3 vaccinated animals are able to move from the RZ to the free area in England subject to pre and post movement testing.

Once post-movement testing has been confirmed negative, these animals are eligible to move to Scotland or Wales.

The BTV-3 vaccine cannot be used in Scotland and Wales at this time, but BTV-3 vaccinated animals from England (from the free area) are permitted to move to Scotland/Wales, as any other animal can. 

Movement of animals from a holding within the RZ to an abattoir within the RZ

Current status: This movement is allowed under a general licence 

Legislation applicable RZ/IA: EXD_612_GL_for_movements_into_zone_and_to_and_from_premises_in_the_restricted_zone_6.09.24.pdf.pdf

Movement of animals from a holding within the RZ to another holding within the RZ

Current status: This movement is allowed under a general licence 

Legislation applicable RZ/IA: EXD_612_GL_for_movements_into_zone_and_to_and_from_premises_in_the_restricted_zone_6.09.24.pdf.pdf

Movement of animals from a free area into the RZ

Current status: This movement is allowed under a general licence 

Legislation applicable RZ/IA: EXD_612_GL_for_movements_into_zone_and_to_and_from_premises_in_the_restricted_zone_6.09.24.pdf.pdf

Movement of animals within the RZ to a market also within the RZ

Current status: This movement is allowed under a general licence 

Legislation applicable RZ/IA: EXD_612_GL_for_movements_into_zone_and_to_and_from_premises_in_the_restricted_zone_6.09.24.pdf.pdf

Movement of animals from a bluetongue zone to a bluetongue approved dedicated breeding sale located outside the bluetongue zone of origin

 Find full information relating to this licence update here.

Movement of animals from a holding* within the RZ out of the RZ to live

Current status: You must apply for a specific licence 

Legislation applicable RZ/IA: *the holding must not be under BTV premises restriction

Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Movement of animals from a holding within the RZ to a market outside the RZ

Current status: Movement not permitted 

Movement of animals purchased at a market within the RZ to a destination outside the RZ

Current status: Movement not permitted 

Movement of animals from holdings which have land within the RZ which straddles the boundary

Current status: These holdings are classified as being within the RZ. Animals within the boundary of the RZ cannot move outside the RZ without a specific licence. If in doubt call the Bluetongue hotline 024 7771 0386

Legislation applicable RZ/IA: Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Movement of animals from a holdings within the RZ to an approved red market outside of the RZ

For movements from a bluetongue zone to an approved ‘red market’ outside a bluetongue zone, for the purpose of direct sale to a designated slaughterhouse or restricted zone slaughterhouse for immediate slaughter.

Legislation applicable: EXD630 (E) (GL) General Licence for movement to slaughter out of a Restricted Zone (RZ)

Movement of animals from an approved red market to a designated slaughter house

For movements from an approved ‘red market’ to a designated slaughterhouse or restricted zone slaughterhouse for immediate slaughter.

Legislation applicable: EXD630 (E) (GL) General Licence for movement to slaughter out of a Restricted Zone (RZ)

Collection and freezing of germinal products

Current status: 

If you wish to freeze germinal products in the RZ, you must obtain a specific licence. 

If you operate a germinal product collection centre, you may apply to be designated. 

Legislation applicable RZ/IA: Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Types of licence
  1. General Licence: Please check carefully that the general licence applies to you and the movement you are making before moving any animals and that you comply by the conditions of that licence. A copy should accompany any animals moved under a general licence. You do not need Defra approval to use a general licence.
  1. Specific Licence: This covers any movement or activity within any current disease control zones that are not covered by a general licence. These licenses need Defra approval before the movement can be authorized.

For all animal movements, prepare and have your movement licenses to hand.

Licencing advice
  • Please allow 5 days or more for a specific licence application to be processed. Complex and high-risk movements will need extra time to process, and it is recommended that you factor this into your planning.
  • Contingency planning will be required to allow for the licences to be issued
  • Plan for what steps you will need to take if the licence is refused or your application cannot be met in time
  • Please note if a specific licence is issued, it will usually only be for a one-off movement based on disease control risk

*All information provided is subject to change, please Click here for live information.

If faced with challenges, there are a number of resources you can access and charities that you can contact for support.

RABI – 0800 188 4444

FCN – 03000 111 999

YANA – 0300 323 0400

Addington Fund – 01926 620135

DPJ Foundation– 0800 587 4262

We Are Farming Minds – 0808 802 0070 / Text – 07786 203 130

Forage Aid – 01926 620135

Mind Charity – 0300 123 3393

Samaritans – 116 123

C.A.L.L (Wales)  0800 132 737

RSABI (Scotland) – 0800 1234 555