Version 3.0
Defra
Foot and Mouth Disease
Contingency Plan
FOREWORD
This Contingency Plan takes forward the Government’s commitment to implement the recommendations of the Inquiries into the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001. The Lessons Learned Inquiry stressed the importance of contingency planning, the need to react with speed and certainty, and the importance of clear and consistent communication with interested parties.
The plan sets out the structures and systems that would be immediately implemented in an outbreak and describes the capability that would enable the speedy provision of resources to bring into operation the Government’s control policies. It has been developed with input from stakeholders and acknowledges the importance of greater engagement with operational partners, particularly local authorities, both in developing emergency preparedness and dealing with a disease outbreak.
Defra published an interim Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan in March 2002 which codified the immediate lessons learned from the 2001 outbreak. Following the publication of the Reports of the Official Inquiries, a revised version was published on 6 November 2002 at the same time as the Government responded to the Inquiries’ recommendations. This Plan replaces that version following consultation, policy development and further work.
The purpose of publishing this Plan is to make transparent the way in which FMD control policies would be implemented in the event of an outbreak. In this sense it is an operational plan. Future developments in policy such as those that may result from the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy and the implementation of new legislation such as the current draft FMD Directive will be reflected in future revisions as part of a commitment to regular updating and stakeholder involvement. This Plan is intended only to indicate how Defra and its partners would implement the agreed policies. It will be subject to regular review.
The Plan fits into the framework of the EU approved Contingency Plan and is augmented by the detailed SVS instructions dealing with operational disease control and the particular local aspects of the control operation that are contained in plans maintained by each Animal Health Divisional Office.
This Plan will be brought into use not only in the event of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, but also to provide the structures, frameworks and systems that would be necessary for the control of other exotic diseases. They have been developed against the background of the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak and may be modified and developed during future operations. They are the initial framework for managing an outbreak in a structured way, but they are not intended to constrain the way the control operation develops. The Plan provides at present a clear and public operational plan which would guide Defra and those with whom it works in dealing with an outbreak of exotic disease and informs the public and all those who might be affected by the control measures.
The Plan sets out how the disease would be controlled were there to be an outbreak tomorrow. It is however, the Government’s view that there needs to be a fairer balance between farmers and tax payers in meeting the costs of animal diseases. The view is supported by the Curry Commission, the Lessons Learned Inquiry into FMD 2001 and the PAC report. A Defra-led working group comprising stakeholders from the livestock and insurance industries has been exploring policy options for this. The group completed the initial phase of this work in 2002. It is likely that a combination of a levy and voluntary top up insurance could provide a basis for a way forward and work is continuing with the view of launching a wide ranging consultation exercise in summer 2003. This will affect compensation for animals slaughtered in the disease control operation or under a livestock welfare scheme, and the costs of secondary cleansing and disinfection.
Since the last version of the Plan was published it has been considerably augmented. It now makes reference to the availability of detailed instructions on procurement and commercial contracting and on financial management of the outbreak. It explains the provision of a register of Defra staff available for service in an emergency and how further personnel would be engaged. It explains how the new register of independent valuers would be employed and the call up of monitor valuers. It outlines the key regional operational stakeholder capabilities and encourages the greater involvement of Defra, both nationally and locally, with its operational partners to ensure a better integrated approach to disease control and with all those affected to provide a better understanding of what the effect disease control measures would have.
It includes a new section on the role of the Rural Stress Action Plan Working Group - encouraging liaison with volunteer and charity organisations who could offer support. Finally the Plan reflects the provisions of the Animal Health Act 2002 by reference to emergency vaccination and the Decision Tree for disease control strategies, the disease control slaughter protocol for the use of the pre-emptive cull and refers to the revised biosecurity guidance which is out for consultation.
This version of the Contingency Plan takes into account comments received, operational additions to the plan and lessons learned from exercises. It has been the subject of considerable consultation with stakeholders and reflects as far as possible the comments that have been made. As a living document it will always be open for further comment.
7 The latest version of the Contingency Plan will be displayed on the Defra website at all times with a box for comments allowing ongoing opportunity for comment.
7 Timely meetings will be held with stakeholders so that views can be included in the process of the development of the Plan.
7 Any proposals for significant changes of policy affecting the Plan will be subject to separate consultation exercises. Consultation letters will explain that the end result will form part of the Plan. To avoid consultation ‘fatigue’ we will not always consult on the whole Plan when only these policy changes are incorporated. However, interested parties will be written to in order to let them know of the changes to the Plan and we will also place a clear message on the Defra website;
7 Where changes of factual information relating to Defra operational arrangements occur, appropriate written consultation exercises will be carried out.
7 Regardless of any separate consultations on particular issues, a full written consultation on the Plan will take place at least annually.
Operational Instructions to carry out the requirements of this contingency plan are contained within the State Veterinary Service Instructions - VIPER (Veterinary Instructions, Procedures and Emergency Routines) Chapter 3. This is available to the public in the Defra library, Room 320A, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR and may be viewed by appointment by telephone: 0207 238 6575 (please allow 24 hours notice).
A project to consolidate the existing version into a web based document, capturing and collating experiences gained during 2001 to provide a consistent response based on best practices identified during and following the outbreak is under way. The revised re-presented chapter should be completed and publicly available on the Defra website in the summer.
CONTENTS
GLOSSARY
Page
Section 1 - Background, Structures and Policies
1.1 Background
13
1.6 Outline of Command Structures
14
1.12 Outline of Policies
15
Section 2 - Alert System & States of Alert
2.2 AMBER - Action on Suspicion of FMD
17
2.13 RED - Initial Action on Confirmation of FMD
20
2.15 Policies to be applied on confirmation of FMD
21
Section 3 - Resources
3.1 Involvement of the Armed Forces
23
3.5 Human Resources
23
3.5 Veterinary Personnel
23
3.8 Regional Operations Directors (RODs) and Divisional Operations Managers (DOMs)
24
3.12 Administrative, Field and Technical Personnel
25
3.23 Legal Services
26
3.26 Vaccination Teams
27
3.28 Involvement of Stakeholders and Operational Partners
27
3.31 Training & Exercises
28
3.31 Veterinary Training
28
3.33 AHDO training
28
3.34 Induction Training
28
3.37 Media Training
29
3.38 Contingency Planning Exercises
29
3.39 Health & Safety & Staff Welfare
29
3.44 Accommodation
30
3.48 Information Technology & Data Systems
31
3.57 Procurement
32
3.57 General - Procurement & Commercial Contracting Contingency Plan
32
3.64 National/Regional/Local Call-off Contracts & Supply Contingency Arrangements
33
Page
3.69 Financial Control
34
3.69 NDCC Head of FMD Finance
34
3.70 Finance Managers, LDCCs
34
3.71 Role of Finance Officers
35
3.75 Equipment and Stores
35
3.75 National Minimum Stocking Levels
35
3.76 Divisional Minimum Stocking Levels
35
3.77 Stores to Supply Vaccination Teams
36
Section 4 - Key Operations
4.1 Emergency Vaccination
37
4.6 Animal Welfare
38
4.11 Valuation
38
4.15 Restricted Infected Areas
39
4.16 Biosecurity Guidance
39
4.18 Disposal
40
4.36 Serology
43
4.47 Cleansing & Disinfection of Affected Premises
44
4.49 Rodent Control
45
Section 5 - Management Information & Communications
5.1 Management Information & Disease Control Information
46
5.5 Communications
46
5.5 Media
46
5.7 Website
47
5.9 Helplines
47
5.10 Central Co-ordination
47
5.12 Notifiable Disease Awareness Programmes
48
Section 6 - Strategic Level Plan
6.1 Background and Scope
49
Structures and ‘Battle Rhythm’
52
Key Strategic Structures and roles
53
Strategic Level Roles
68
Section 7 - Tactical Level Plan
7.1 Background & Scope
73
7.7 Activation
73
7.9 NDCC Team Tasks
74
7.23 Stakeholders
78
7.24 Co-ordination
78
7.27 Corporate Communications
79
7.28 Meetings
79
7.29 Administration
81
Page
Section 8 - Operational Level Plan
8.1 Background & Scope
83
8.3 Objectives
83
8.7 Activation
84
8.8 Process
84
8.12 Involvement of Stakeholders & Operational Partners
84
8.15 Administration
85
ANNEXES
Annex A
Veterinary Guidance for Initial Action on Suspect Cases
Annex B
Decision Tree
Annex C
Slaughter Protocol
Annex D
Emergency Vaccination Arrangements
Annex E
Veterinary Risk Assessment and Protocol for Rights of Way Closures
Annex F
Contacts List
Annex G
Regional Operations Directors and Divisional Operations Managers - Emergency Contact Details
Annex H
Communications - Action by Communications Directorate
Annex I
Organograms of Key Structures - NDCC
Annex J
Organograms of Key Structures - LDCC
Annex K
Format of FMD Daily Situation Report (SITREP)
Annex L
Health & Safety Plan
Annex M
Biosecurity Advice and Guidance
Annex N
Key Stakeholders - Capabilities
Annex O
Devolved Administrations
- Scotland
- Wales
Glossary
ACPO
Association of Chief Police Officers
ACVO
Assistant Chief Veterinary Officer
AHDO
Animal Health Divisional Office
AHO
Animal Health Officer
AHWD
Animal Health and Welfare Directorate
AMED
Animal Movements and Exotic Diseases Division
ASD
Accounting Services Division
BCMS
British Cattle Movement Service
BEMD
Building and Estates Management Division
CA
Countryside Agency
C&D
Cleansing and Disinfection
CCC
Civil Contingencies Committee
CCC(O)
Civil Contingencies Committee (Officials)
CCS
Civil Contingencies Secretariat (Cabinet Office)
CD
Communications Directorate
CMO
Chief Medical Officer
COBR
Cabinet Office Briefing Room
Comms
Communications
CP
Contiguous Premises
CSA
Chief Scientific Adviser (Defra)
CSD
Corporate Services Division
CVO
Chief Veterinary Officer
DARDNI
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern Ireland
DC
Dangerous Contact
DCMS
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
DCS
Disease Control System Database
DCVO
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Director Vet Policy
Defra
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DG
Director General
DGLS
Director General Legal Services (Defra)
DG LURA
Director General Land Use and Rural Affairs (Defra)
DG OSD
Director General Operations and Service Delivery (Defra)
DHSM
Departmental Health and Safety Manager
DHSU
Departmental Health and Safety Unit
DOH
Department of Health
DOM
Divisional Operations Manager
DOT
Department of Transport