SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MOVEMENT OF BLUETONGUE-SUSCEPTIBLE ANIMALS TO SCOTLAND
Movements of non-pregnant animals out of a Restricted Zone
In all cases, animals and vehicles must be sprayed with insecticide when moving out of a restricted zone. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met:
Vector free period
- Animals must be kept in a seasonally free zone for at least 60 days before movement; negative results from a test for virus carried out not earlier than 7 days before the move. Or:
- Animals must be kept in a seasonally free zone for at least 28 days before movement; negative results from a serological test carried out at least 28 days after vector free period started. Or:
- Animals must be kept in seasonally free zone for at least 14 days before movement; negative results from a test for virus carried out at least 14 days after vector free period started.
Or
Protection against vectors
- Animals must be kept in vector-proof accommodation for at least 60 days before movement. Or:
- Animals must be kept in vector proof accommodation for at least 28 days before movement; negative results from a serological test performed at least 28 days after the start of protection. Or:
- Animals kept in vector proof accommodation for at least 14 days before movement; negative results from a test for virus carried out at least 14 days after protection started.
Vector -proof accommodation must fulfil strict Scottish Government requirements, details of which are available on the Scottish Government website.
Or
Vaccination
- Animals must have been vaccinated, individually identified and certified by a veterinarian and be currently immune and must also meet one of the following conditions:
(i) They were vaccinated more than 60 days before the movement; or
(ii) They were vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine in time for immunity to be established (which depends on the vaccine used) and were found negative to a virus test carried out at least 35 days after completion of vaccination; or
(iii) They were previously vaccinated and have been re-vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine within the immunity period; or
(iv) They were kept in a bluetongue seasonally free zone from birth or at least 60 days before vaccination and were vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine in sufficient time for immunity to develop.
Or
Natural Immunity
For animals in an area where not more than one bluetongue serotype is circulating. Animals have never been vaccinated against bluetongue and have always been kept in an area where only one serotype is present. And:
- Animals had positive results from two serological tests, the first carried out between 60 and 360 days before the movement and the second carried out on samples taken not earlier than seven days before the date of movement. Or:
- Animals had positive results from a serological test carried out at least 30 days before movement, negative results from a virus test carried out not earlier than 7 days before the movement.
For animals from an area where more than one bluetongue serotype is present, or likely to be present. Animals have never been vaccinated against bluetongue and have had positive results to 2 specific serological tests for all the serotypes likely to be present in the area. And:
- The first test must have been carried out on samples taken between 60-360 days before the date of movement and the second test not earlier than 7 days before the movement. Or:
- The specific serological test must have been carried out at least 30 days before the date of movement and a test for the virus but be undertaken not earlier than 7 days before the move with negative results.
In all cases, a licence will be required from the competent authority at the point of origin and vaccinated animals must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate proving that they have been vaccinated. A post-movement notification form (and a copy of the veterinary certificate of vaccination where appropriate) must be provided to the Scottish Government within 3 working days of the arrival of any animals in Scotland that have been within a Restricted Zone within the last 60 days .
Please note that until further notice the UK is not accepting animals over 90 days of age from other Member States travelling under conditions of protection against vectors or vector free period.
Movement of pregnant animals out of a Restricted Zone
In all cases, animals and vehicles must be sprayed with insecticide when moving out of a restricted zone. In addition, for any animal that is, or may be, pregnant, at least one of the following conditions must be met:
- One of the previously described vaccination conditions or one of the natural immunity conditions previously described must have been complied with before insemination or mating.
Or
- Animals must be kept in a seasonally free zone for at least 28 days prior to movement; negative results from a serological test carried out at least 28 days after vector free period started but not earlier than seven days before the date of the movement.
Or
- Animals must be kept in vector proof accommodation fulfilling Scottish Government requirements for at least 28 days before movement; negative results from a serological test performed at least 28 days after the start of protection and not earlier than 7 days before the date of the movement.
In all cases, a licence will be required from the competent authority at the point of origin and vaccinated animals must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate proving they have been vaccinated. A post-movement notification form (and veterinary certificate of vaccination where appropriate) must be provided to the Scottish Government within 3 working days of the arrival of any animals in Scotland that have been within a Restricted Zone within the last 60 days.
Please note that until further notice the UK is not accepting animals over 90 days of age from other Member States travelling under conditions of protection against vectors or vector free period.
Movements through a Restricted Zone
Except when 60 or more days into a vector-free period, all animals and vehicles must be sprayed with insecticide before moving through a restricted zone and again during any rest periods within the Restricted Zone. Movements through the Restricted Zone should be as short and direct as possible.
In all cases, a licence will be required from the competent authority responsible for the Restricted Zone being moved through.
Movements from a Free Area
Animals originating from an area free of bluetongue restrictions are not subject to any licence requirements or conditions.
Animals moving from a free area that were previously vaccinated within a Protection Zone must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate proving that they have been vaccinated by a vet. A post-movement notification form (and veterinary certificate of vaccination where appropriate) must be provided to the Scottish Government within 3 working days of the arrival of any animals in Scotland that have been within a Restricted Zone within the last 60 days.
Note
1. This is a summary of the requirements for animals not going for slaughter. For full details on all requirements for any moves please refer to Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2008 (as amended), Council Directive 2000/75/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 (as amended). Legislation is updated from time to time.
2. Although rigorous adherence to the conditions of movement set out here will minimise the risk of spreading bluetongue, it cannot fully guarantee that the animals being moved are disease free. Wherever possible you should avoid moving animals from high-risk areas to bluetongue free areas.
Please see our website at www.scotland.gov.uk/bluetongue for up to date information and for advice on approved insecticides.
August 2008
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