Annual review of Defra’s Contingency Plan for Exotic Notifiable Diseases of Animals

This is a consultation on the Defra (England) Contingency Plan for Exotic Notifiable Diseases of Animals which is reviewed annually and is made under the Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended).

This plan outlines the roles and responsibilities, systems and structures in place for responding to an outbreak of exotic notifiable animal disease, the plan also highlights our working on preparing for disease outbreaks.

The latest version of the Contingency Plan for Exotic Notifiable Diseases of Animals is now a single document (compared to previous versions when the Plan comprised of a Framework Response document and a Preparedness Document). It is hoped that the simplified document provides a clear overview of our response to an outbreak of animal disease. Please note that the draft Plan also reflects the fact that Animal Health and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency will be merging on 1 April 2011.

The Plan is issued by Animal Health on behalf of Defra and applies to England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland develop similar plans which reflect these arrangements within the Devolved Administration’s structures. In addition this year the four Countries will be jointly producing an additional overview Plan (which will reflect the policy and details in the individual Plans) to provide an overview of response to Exotic Notifiable disease at the UK level.