Changes to Bluetongue Movement Restrictions

Date published: 18 December 2025

From tomorrow, Friday 19th December, all animals, except for animals that have tested positive for BTV, will be free to move under general licence within and out of the TCZ unless they are in certain high-risk categories.

High Risk categories are defined as:

• Cattle: All females 18 months and older and bulls 14 months and older
• Sheep & Goats: Breeding males
• Deer, Llamas and Alpacas: Pregnant females and breeding males

Those within these high-risk categories will be permitted to move under specific licence but are subject to certain additional requirements. Dependent on animal category, these requirements include either proof of a negative pregnancy test, or negative pre-movement testing or proof of previous Bluetongue vaccination.

Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher said: “When DAERA announced the lifting of restrictions on Saintfield Market last week, I indicated that with surveillance testing for Bluetongue in the TCZ nearing completion, pending a further risk assessment, we hoped to announce the conditions and criteria for the movement of animals within the zone and also to holdings outside.

“With surveillance testing having now ended and noting we are now within the vector inactive period, I can confirm that we are able to relax the restrictions on movements inside and outside the zone.

“However, certain categories of cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas will require other measures to qualify for movement, and I would urge farmers to familiarise themselves with those details on the DAERA website."

For movements out of the TCZ, the following principles apply:

• Cattle
  • All females less than 18 months, all castrated males, and bulls less than 14 months will be permitted to move under general licence without testing, vaccination, or pregnancy determination.
  • All female cattle 18 months and older will be required to have negative tests for BTV (both PCR and Elisa tests) or they can move if they have proof that they are fully vaccinated for Bluetongue or are veterinary certified as non-pregnant.
  • Bulls 14 months and older will require a negative PCR test for BTV to move under licence.
• Sheep
  • All animals except for breeding males will be allowed to move under licence with no testing necessary. Breeding males will require a negative PCR test before a licence can be granted allowing movement.

Further details on the requirements for moves within and out of the TCZ can be found here.

Welcoming the moves, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “Ever since the first suspected case of BTV, my officials and I have been acutely aware of the difficulties for trade inside and outside the TCZ and the financial impact upon farmers.

“Securing the relaxation of restrictions outside the TCZ last week and now inside the zone has been a priority and these latest moves will go some way towards relieving the pressure on farmers.

“On those holdings where BTV has been detected, my officials and vets will continue to work with the impacted herd keepers and also with industry stakeholders on next steps.

“While this will be welcome news for farmers in the area, I acknowledge the additional costs for high-risk animals to meet the conditions for movement. I have therefore asked my officials to urgently explore if there is any potential financial support to assist farmers. Any further announcements on this will be made next week”