Bluetongue Update

From July 1, 2025, new Bluetongue regulations will come in to force. Animals moving from England into Wales will be specific licences and movement tests in order to move into Wales. On the same date, bluetongue restrictions for movements within in England will be lifted, meaning animals can be moved freely within the country. The new regulations for Scotland are broadly the same as those for Wales. Click through for more detail.

Changes to Bluetongue regulations across the UK were announced last week and look likely to have a significant impact on animal movements around the UK, in particular, those that involve crossing the England/Wales border. 

Movements from the Wales wide, disease free zone, into England can continue, but movements in the other direction where animals are coming into Wales, will be subject to pre-movement rests. There are circumstances in which a post-movement test is permitted, but these are very specific. 

Full guidance for the UK can be seen by clicking on the links below. Please take time to read and familiarise yourself with them - while essentially straightford, there are some complexities  around specific movement types that need to be looked at carefully to ensure compliance. 

Full details of the regulations in Wales from 1st July

Guidance for breeders in England

Bluetongue guidance for livestock keepers in Scotland

BWMSBA is currently considering the impact that this may have on our members and any events that we may have planned, in particular our Annual Sale at Monmouthshire Livestock market. We are looking at ways me might be able to help our members outside of Wales who may now be unwilling to bring their stock to the sales, with marketing them.