Introduction
i. This contingency plan provides the framework of the Scottish Government's response to both a suspected and confirmed outbreak of exotic notifiable animal disease in Scotland or elsewhere in Great Britain. A notifiable animal disease is a disease named in section 88 of the Animal Health Act 1981 or an Order made under that Act. 'Exotic' notifiable animal diseases are diseases not normally found in Great Britain. The diseases are listed as notifiable because of their potential for very serious and rapid spread, irrespective of national borders, they have serious socio-economic or public health consequence (animal diseases that are infectious to people are known as zoonoses) and are of major importance in the international trade of animals and animal products. If a notifiable animal disease is suspected or identified, it must by law be immediately reported to Scottish Ministers. In practical terms this means to the local Animal Health Divisional Office.
ii. The contingency framework plan has four main chapters:
- Chapter 1, covering the principles of disease control;
- Chapter 2, covering the overarching command and control structure and processes at the strategic, tactical and operational levels;
- Chapter 3, setting out the roles and responsibilities of individuals or organisations that play a part in the control process;
- Chapter 4, outlines other operational partners, agencies, government departments (Scottish and UK level), and international organisations that play an essential role in the management of disease control.
iii. The contingency framework plan may be applied to a range of exotic notifiable animal diseases affecting livestock but principally those that are infectious and contagious diseases. It does not cover rabies or vector borne 1 diseases such as bluetongue or West Nile virus for which the disease control responses are different. For each of the diseases that pose a threat to Scotland's economic wellbeing an Annex has been (or will be) prepared covering specific details for the disease:
Annex 1. African Swine Fever ( ASF)
Annex 2. Avian Influenza ( AI)
Annex 3. Classical Swine Fever ( CSF)
Annex 4. Foot and Mouth Disease ( FMD)
Annex 5. Newcastle Disease ( ND)
Annex 6. Swine Vesicular Disease ( SVD)
iv. This document and the associated annexes are available on the Scottish Government website at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/ahwcontingencyplans
v. The framework is consistent with the requirements of EU and Scottish legislation (for more details on specific legislation refer to the individual annexes). Scottish Ministers have a legal responsibility and authority for the control of notifiable animal disease in Scotland. The framework recognises that animal disease does not respect national boundaries. Cooperation and coordination with other UK Governments is essential if animal disease is to be controlled effectively with minimal impact on the economy; environment; rural communities and countryside pursuits.
vi. The plan has been produced in accordance with the advice of The Scottish Government's Scottish Resilience Unit and takes account of comments received in the previous public consultation of this document and the recommendations in Professor Scudamore's Report - The Foot and Mouth Disease Review (Scotland) 2007. This Review may be found at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/06/23130049/21 .
vii. The framework has been written for a wide and varied audience, not only those in Government, its agencies and operational partners but also for those who may be affected either directly or indirectly by an outbreak of animal disease. Plain English has been used wherever possible but when technical language is used, it has been explained. The framework sets out what is required at a strategic level for control and explains the rationale for any required actions. For ease of reading the framework makes use of Concept Boxes to explain particular rationales and approaches. It sets out at a strategic level what needs to be done, by whom and why, so that all can work together with a common purpose. The framework does not cover the detailed contingency plans and instructions of operational partners, since these are owned by them. However, where necessary, it provides an overview of their roles and responsibilities so that others can put in context their own roles and responsibilities.
viii. The framework sets out the principles and strategic objectives of exotic notifiable animal disease control. At the start of any outbreak there will be uncertainty about its eventual scale, extent and duration. Depending on the scale of the outbreak not all the mechanisms, structures and processes set out in the framework may be necessary. In the early stages of an outbreak, depending on the particular disease, it may be necessary to have country-wide stringent controls until the extent of likely spread has been assessed by veterinary experts. The control tools set out in the framework will need to be used flexibly in order to meet the strategic control objectives for any particular outbreak.