Bluetongue Virus Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) guidance on animal movements
Explains the rules and licenses required for moving animals and germinal product both within and in and out of the Bluetongue Virus Temporary Control Zone near Tintern.
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Background
A TCZ was declared by the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales from 6pm on 1st October 2025 around a bluetongue-infected premises confirmed near Tintern, Monmouthshire. It is bordered by the A449, A40 and M4 border, but these roads are not within, the TCZ.
Movements of animals and germinal product
No person may move any animal or germinal product on to or off premises in the zone except in the accordance with a licence issued by a veterinary inspector or by an inspector or officer of the Welsh Ministers acting under the instructions of a veterinary inspector.
Bluetongue susceptible animals, which show no signs of clinical illness will be permitted to move to and from the TCZ in Wales in accordance with the following licences. Any holding that is partially within the TCZ is treated as if the whole holding falls within the TCZ. Animal movements within the holding will be allowed without any conditions, but movements off the holding will be subject to the licence schedule below.
We will publish the licenses below in due course.
Movements to slaughter from the TCZ
A general licence will be published permitting movements out of the TCZ to slaughter. There are no vaccination or pre-movement testing requirements.
Movements into the TCZ to live
A general licence will be published permitting movements into the TCZ to live. Vaccination is recommended to protect the health and welfare of animals moving into the zone. No pre or post-movement testing required.
Movements out of the TCZ to live in bluetongue-free area in Wales: vaccinated animals
A general licence will be published permitting vaccinated animals to move out of the TCZ to live in bluetongue-free areas of Wales.
Movements out of the TCZ to live in bluetongue-free area in Wales: unvaccinated animals
A specific licence from APHA and a negative PCR pre-movement test will be required for this type of move.
Movements out of the TCZ to live in the English Restricted Zone
A general licence will be published permitting movements to the English Restricted Zone to live. Vaccination is recommended for this type of move.
Movements from the bluetongue free area of Wales, transiting through the TCZ
No testing is needed if moving directly from a bluetongue-free area of Wales through the restricted zone without stops, other than scheduled stops at:
- motorway service stations
- official lay-bys on trunk/main roads
- lorry parks or similar places
Force majeure (welfare) moves from the TCZ
In the event of force majeure events like flooding or major grass fires, the following measures will apply:
- The keeper must notify APHA that a force majeure move is required, specifying the number of livestock and the CPH of the destination premises.
- The keeper should undertake the move.
- The keeper must arrange for their private veterinarian to carry out a clinical examination of the livestock within 24 hours of the move, except for animals that have completed a primary vaccination scheme of a bluetongue virus serotype 3 vaccination as per the information datasheet and show no signs of illness.
- The private veterinarian should contact APHA to report the clinical status of the livestock following the examination.
- APHA decides if restrictions/investigations are required based on the report.
Movement of germinal product
A general licence will be published permitting movements of germinal products out of the TCZ.