DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Version 2.5

Defra

Foot and Mouth Contingency Plan.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

INDEX

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

SECTION 1 – BACKGROUND

Outline of Policies and Initial Procedures

Command and Control

Gold, Silver and Bronze Commands

SECTION 2 – INITIAL RESPONSE AND INVOCATION PROCEDURES

Alert System

Alert State (Amber) - Action on Suspicion of FMD

Alert State (Red) - Action on confirmation of FMD

Maps of Initial High Level Actions following confirmation of FMD

Outbreak and Communications Structures

Involvement of the Armed Forces

Communications

Communications Protocol

SECTION 3 – INITIAL RESPONSE: ISSUES

1. Resources

1.1 Commitment to supply staff from Defra and associated Agencies

1.2 Identification of UK veterinary personnel

1.3 Identification of local practice veterinary personnel

1.4 Identification of overseas veterinary personnel

1.5 Identification of Regional Operations Directors

1.6 Identification of key admin personnel

1.7 Identification of general field and admin personnel

1.8 Identification of specialist staff (audit/IT)

2. Training and Exercising

2.1 Veterinary training

2.2 Private Sector Veterinary Training

2.3 AHO training in key emergency procedures

2.4 Induction Training.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

2.5 Media Training

2.6 Procurement Training

2.7 Contingency Testing

3. Accommodation

3.1 Access to accommodation/IT and communications infrastructure

4. IT

4.1 Disease Control System (DCS)

4.2 Financial database

4.3 Stock Control database

5. Procurement

5.1 National / regional/ local call-off contracts

5.2 Purchase / hired goods registers

6. Stores

6.1 National minimum stocking levels

6.2 Divisional minimum stocking levels

7. Disposal

7.1 Disposal Hierarchy

7.2 Access to Incineration

7.3 Access to Rendering

7.4 Access to Commercial Licensed Landfill sites

7.5 Transport

8. Serology

8.1 Serology capacity

8.2 Transport of samples

9. Management Information

10. Communication

10.1 Media

10.2 Website

10.3 Help Line

10.4 Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR)

10.5 National Disease Control Centre

11. Publicity and Disease Awareness

11.1 Awareness programmes

12. Inter-Agency/Stakeholder Involvement

13. Health and Safety / Staff Welfare.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

14. Animal Welfare

15. Cleansing and Disinfection of Affected Premises

16. Rodent Control

17. Financial Control

18. Vaccination

SECTION 4 – Strategic Level (Gold) Structures

SECTION 5 – Tactical Level (Silver) Structures

Annex A Devolved Administrations

- Scotland

- Wales

Annex B Roles at Strategic (GOLD) Level

Annex C Job Descriptions at Tactical (SILVER) Level

Annex D Format of FMD Daily Situation Report (Sitrep)

Annex E Contacts List

Annex F Regional Operations Directors - Emergency Contact

Details

Annex G Communications – Action by Communications Directorate

Annex H Organograms of Key Structures – NDCC & LDCC

Annex I Veterinary Risk Assessment and Protocol for Rights of

Way Closures

Annex J Health and Safety Plan

Annex K Procurement Guidance

Annex L Biosecurity Advice and Guidance.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Glossary of Terms

FMD – Foot and Mouth Disease

DVM – Divisional Veterinary Manager

ROD – Regional Operations Director

DOM – Divisional Operations Manager

NDCC –National Disease Control Centre

LDCC – Local Disease Control Centre

EA – Environment Agency (Defra Agency)

CCS – Civil Contingencies Secretariat (Cabinet Office)

RCU – Regional Co-ordination Unit (Cabinet Office)

RPA – Rural Payments Agency (Defra Agency)

RDS – Rural Development Service

SEERAD – Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department

WAG – Welsh Assembly Government

DARDNI – Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern

Ireland.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

SECTION 1 - BACKGROUND

1. This document forms Defra’s contingency plan framework for Foot and

Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks within the structure provided by the existing

EU approved contingency plan. It seeks to codify the experiences and

operational lessons learnt from the 2001 outbreak. It is a working document

subject to regular review and update.

2. The Plan follows guidance published by the Cabinet Office Civil

Contingencies Secretariat and Defra’s Emergencies Unit.

3. The Plan is split into sections which are designed to be removed and

used as ‘standalone’ documents giving guidance at differing levels.

•Section 2 provides an outline of the initial procedures undertaken in the

event of an outbreak. Greater detail of roles, responsibilities and structure

is given in other Sections of the Plan and in State Veterinary Service

Operational Instructions (VIPER Chapter 3).

•Section 3 provides an outline view of the main issues which arise during

an outbreak and serves as an aide memoir and a record of on-going work.

•Section 4 is a standalone document which is designed for use at the

Strategic level.

•Section 5 is a standalone document which is designed for use at the

tactical level. This may eventually be incorporated into the State

Veterinary Service Operational Instructions (VIPER).

4. This framework is to be used in conjunction with the State Veterinary

Service operational instructions (VIPER Chapter 3) which include detailed

guidance and instruction for staff in local Animal Health Offices (or Local

Disease Control Centres). This document does not re-iterate these

instructions.

What it does provide is a clear view of the structures, roles and responsibilities

required at strategic and tactical levels in order to support the operations on

the ground.

5. It is based on previous veterinary procedures and also incorporates

control policies that have developed during the 2001 outbreak and recognises

the recommendations made by the Official Inquiries into this outbreak. The

implementation of these policies will be subject to veterinary risk assessment

in the event of a further outbreak, to ensure that the response is

proportionate..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Outline of Policies and Initial Procedures

6. Suspected Case of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) – ‘Report

Case’ (for further detail of local response procedures, see VIPER

Chapter 3)

•When suspect FMD is reported, restrictions are imposed on the farm while

a veterinary investigation is carried out.

•If samples are taken for submission to a laboratory, movement restrictions

are imposed on all livestock holdings within a radius of 8km around the

suspect premises

7. If FMD is Confirmed (through Clinical Examination or Laboratory

Test)

•A GB wide national movement ban of susceptible species will be put in

place immediately.

•Export licences for animals and animal products will be withdrawn.

•Diseased and other susceptible animals on infected premises will be culled

as soon as possible, within 24 hours of report. Dangerous contacts will be

culled as soon as possible.

•Disposal by incineration would be implemented immediately with rendering

and other disposal routes being available as an additional resource subject

to environmental, land use planning and public health considerations.

•A Protection Zone will be imposed with a radius of 3km around the

Infected Premises. Regular veterinary patrol visits of all premises with

susceptible livestock within this area.

•A Restricted Infected Area (a so-called "Blue Box) will be declared with a

minimum radius of 10km around infected premises. This will require

increased levels of biosecurity on farms, C&D for vehicles, people and

machinery moving on/off farms and movement controls for animals, animal

products, feed and bedding.

Footpaths would only be closed on the IP and within the 3km Protection Zone,

(A Veterinary Risk Assessment and Protocol for Rights of Way closure can be

found at Annex I).

Further action will depend on the circumstances of a particular outbreak and

depending on the scientific and veterinary advice. Additional options and

strategies which are potentially available include:

- emergency vaccination (either to live or to kill, within an area or in a

ring around an area);.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

- culling of other livestock exposed to the disease (e.g. premises under

virus plumes, contiguous premises); and

- (subject to the Government’s Animal Health Bill becoming law) pre-emptive

or 'firebreak' culling of animals not on infected premises not

dangerous contacts or not necessarily exposed to the disease, in order

to prevent the wider spread of the disease outwith an area.

If emergency vaccination is used it would be on the basis of vaccinate-to-live

wherever possible. For a vaccinate-to-live strategy to work, a number of

logistical, technical and trade problems need to be resolved in consultation

with interested parties.

Defra is consulting on a "Decision tree" for disease control strategies against

FMD. The paper sets out the factors the Government will take into account in

deciding which strategy to adopt in order to control and eradicate the disease.

(The "Decision Tree" can be found at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/footnandmouth/contingency/decision.htm)

8. Command and Control

The response to a disease alert will be controlled using the Gold, Silver,

Bronze command structure.

Gold Command - Strategic: Ministers, Permanent Secretary, All Directors

General, Directors of: State Veterinary Service, Veterinary Policy, Animal

Health and Welfare, Communications, Corporate Services, Finance,

Environment Quality and Waste, Rural Economies and Communities & Legal

Services A;

Representatives from: No. 10, Devolved Administrations, Cabinet Office (Civil

Contingencies Secretariat and Regional Co-ordination Unit), Environment

Agency, Countryside Agency, Department of Health, Home Office (and

Association of Chief Police Officers), Ministry of Defence, Department for

Culture Media and Sport, Department for Transport Local Government and

the Regions, HM Treasury, Food Standards Agency, Department for Work

and Pensions.

Silver Command - Tactical: National Disease Control Centre (NDCC). To

include representatives from other government departments, devolved

administrations, agencies and key stakeholders.

Bronze Command - Operational: Local Disease Control Centres (LDCCs)

under Regional Operations Director / Divisional Veterinary Manager control,

Animal Health Offices; To include representatives from relevant agencies,

local authorities, other key stakeholders and operational partners..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

N.B. This plan covers operations in England. See Annex A for details of the

contingency plans for Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland also has a

separate contingency plan, details of which are not outlined in this plan as

Ireland is treated as a separate epidemiological entity..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

SECTION 2 – Initial Response and Invocation Procedures

For detailed instructions, see Sections 4 and 5 (Strategic and Tactical)

of this plan and VIPER Chapter 3 (local instructions)

Please also refer to Section 3 of this plan for guidance on immediate

issues arising from an outbreak.

1. Alert System

1.1 Alert state: AMBER - Action on Suspicion of FMD

Any suspicion of FMD must be reported to the local Animal Health Divisional

Office (AHDO) of the State Veterinary Service who will take action according

to SVS Chapter 3 Instructions.

1.2 Upon receipt of a Report case, the Divisional Veterinary Manager

(DVM) will arrange for a Veterinary Officer (VO) to visit the premises, where

they will immediately serve Form A restrictions, advise the livestock keeper of

their responsibilities and carry out a veterinary inquiry including an

examination of the livestock.

1.3 If, at this visit, the VO cannot rule out the presence of FMD, they will

contact Defra HQ ( Exotic Diseases Division) to discuss further action,

including the taking of samples and imposition of movement restrictions within

an 8km radius of the affected premises. Either a Veterinary Adviser or the

DVHD or the HVD is available at all times.

This will trigger the following action:

1.4 Locally:

1.4.1 Animal Health Office Action:

The imposition of movement restrictions on all livestock holdings within a

radius of 8km around the suspect premises.

The ongoing workstream on revising Chapter 3 instructions aim to guide the

action on farm, the establishment of a Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC)

and communications required with the Veterinary Exotic Diseases Division at

Defra HQ.

1.4.2 DVM responsibilities prior to appointment of a ROD are detailed in

VIPER Chapter 3, and include: -

Overseeing action taken to deal with the report case.

Review Animal Health Office (AHO) structure to maintain essential functions

while dealing with the report case..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Inform local stakeholders (see VIPER Chapter 3 instructions).

Initiate internal communication within AHDO/LDCC and with the centre.

Secure appropriate staff, resources and facilities as outlined in local plans

(admin and vet staff, LVI’s and equipment).

Accommodation (including telephones and IT).

Initiate contact with local Contractors.

Contact centre regarding disposal options.

Arrange transport of samples.

Notifications (Local Authority/milk companies).

1.5 Defra HQ Alert state: AMBER - Action on Suspicion of FMD

1.5.1 Upon report of a suspected case of Foot and Mouth disease to the

Veterinary Exotic Diseases Division, a report form (NDI 1) is circulated

notifying key veterinary and policy personnel in HQ and the regions (see

Annex E).

The Head of Animal Movements and Exotic Diseases Division is responsible

for ensuring that the following personnel are notified on behalf of the Chief

Veterinary Officer:

The Secretary of State, Defra

Defra Ministers

Permanent Secretary and members of the Management Board

Director of Communications / Chief Press Officer

Duty Office

National Farmers Union HQ

The Head of SVS Contingency Planning Division will notify:

SVS Heads of Veterinary Service

Relevant Nominated Regional Operations Directors

Environment Agency Regional Duty Officer

Rural Payments Agency - Disposals

Head of Defra’s Emergencies Unit

Head of Legal DG’s Animal Health & Welfare Division

Cabinet Office – Regional Co-ordination Unit

Cabinet Office – Civil Contingencies Secretariat

DVMs

(Contact details are Annex E)

(Appropriate notification will also be made out of hours by the Duty VA

and Duty Press Officer)

Note: (i) In some cases where laboratory confirmation is awaited and the

veterinary assessment indicates an unacceptable risk in waiting, the CVO

may take the decision to move to Red alert before final confirmation is

received..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

(ii) In these events, Regional Operations Directors (initially Heads of

Veterinary Service) will be posted when the CVO takes the decision to move

to red alert.

1.6 To ensure a co-ordinated handling of the message, the

communications protocol at Section 2, paragraph 4 must be followed.

1.7 At this point, consideration will be given to the appropriate structures

that are likely to be needed at a national level (based upon risk analysis) to

ensure a proportionate response to the likely outbreak (See diagram below).

However, a National Disease Control Centre will be established in SVS HQ,

Page Street, London upon confirmation of disease. The map below sets out

the likely development of strategic structures to support the emergency

response.

2. Action on Confirmation of FMD - Alert State: RED

2.1 If the suspected case is subsequently confirmed by the CVO as having

disease or if the risk assessment indicates, the alert rate must increase to Red

and the following action take place:

2.2 Locally:

N.B. The current workstream on revising Chapter 3 will give detailed

instructions for implementation of control measures and guidance on the

establishment of a LDCC.

2.3. Creation of the Local Disease Control Centre (LDCC)

2.3.1 The Local Disease Control Centre will develop as the necessary control

measures are implemented.

2.4 Role of the Local Disease Control Centre

2.4.1 The overarching objective of the Local Disease Control Centre is to

manage and co-ordinate the tasks required to:

•Control and eradicate a notifiable disease outbreak

• Return affected premises to disease-free status.

The key aims for administrative and field staff are to work to support

veterinary and technical staff in the eradication of disease, establish effective

communication with key stakeholders and the rural community and ensure

value for money.

2.5 Defra HQ Action On Confirmation Of FMD - Alert State: RED

If the case is subsequently confirmed by the CVO, the following actions must

be taken immediately:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

See process map below for initial high-level action

2.5.1 The CVO (normally delegated to Head of VEXDD) will immediately

notify the Director SVS amongst others, which will trigger the establishment of

the National Disease Control Centre (see Section 5).

2.5.2 A list of contact details for key personnel (including other government

departments, the devolved administrations, the European Commission, the

Office International des Epizooties (OIE), key stakeholders and operational

partners) that must be contacted upon confirmation of disease is included at

Annex E. The Annex outlines those responsible for notification.

2.5.3 The Director SVS will establish the National Disease Control Centre

(NDCC) and the Head of SVS Contingency Planning Division will contact the

Heads of NDCC Cells. This will trigger the release of further key personnel for

both the NDCC and Local Disease Control Centre(s) (LDCC)..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Bronze

(Operational)

Command

Gold (Strategic)

Command

Silver (Tactical)

Command National Disease

Control Centre

(NDCC)(includes operational

partners & stakeholders)

Local Disease

Control Centre( s)

(AHDOs)

Vaccination Centres

Policy: Veterinary, Animal Heath

and Welfare, Environment &

Waste, Rural Affairs,

Disease

Control

System

Daily Sitreps

18.00

Stakeholder Group

- meets once a week Incudes 'other' Stakeholders, Defra reps are

Minister, CVO, CSA & Directors: SVS, AHW,

Communications,

Birdtable

Meetings

07.30, 12.00,

19.00

Exotic Animal Disease Control - Communications

Daily Emergency

Direction Group

08.15 - 08.45

-Tactical Issues of

the Day

DG OSD (Chair),

Directors: SVS, Vet

Policy, AHW, Comms,

Legal (A)

Daily NDCC

Reports

20: 00

Science Group

Chair: Defra Chief

Scientist

Animal Disease Policy Group

Chair: CVO

Senatorial Group

'Other'

Directors

Director FMD

Operations

(Director SVS)

report via

Director s General

Rural Issues Group

Chair: Defra DG LURA

Daily

Communications

Meeting

10.00 - 10.30 Dir Comms( Chair),

Perm Sec.

Minister( s), CVO,

CSA, Dep Dir FMD.

DEFRA FMD Strategy Board,

meets 15.00, as necessary Minister, Perm Sec (Chair), All DGs,

Environment Agency, Countryside Agency

Directors: SVS, AHW, CD, Finance

Government FMD Co- ordination Committee

- meets 09.00 (as necessary)

[Chair: Cabinet Office? Secretariat: CCS]

DEFRA (Perm Sec, DG OSD, CVO, CSA), SEERAD, WAG,

No. 10, Cabinet Office (CCS & RCU), EA, CA, LGA /

LACORS, MOD, Home Office (& ACPO), DWP, DoH (inc.

CMO), DCMS, DoT, HMT, FSA,.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

AHW DG Notify Ministers &

Senior Officials

Finance

Director

Communications

Director

DG - Legal

Services

DG Operations & Service

Delivery

Director SVS

(Director of FMD)

Corporate

Services Director

Permanent Secretary chairs

Strategy Board; Liaise with

Cabinet Office; Consider

need for Armed Forces

involvement;

Appoint Deputy

FMD Directors

Alert HsVS and

Call- up

contingency

ROD( s). Co-

ordinate

establishment of

Local disease

control centre( s)

Notify Chief Scientific

Adviser (OST)

DG OSD notifies MOD, CCS, EA,

OGDs and other key

stakeholders (as per contact list)

Alert GNN /

GICS/ NCC;

Prepare briefing;

Prepare media

handling plan;

Establish

Comms teams in

NDCC and LDCC

Alert Personnel

Division to

assist with call-

up of key

personnel, Alert

BEMD tp liaise

with NDCC and

RODs

Identify

Finance

Managers for

NDCC &

LDCC( s),

Alert PCD

and Audit

Legal

Divisions to

liaise with

NDCC and

AHW policy

Call- up key

personnel from

contingency lists

Map of Initial High Level Actions following confirmation of FMD Outbreak

Chief Veterinary Officer

confirms disease

outbreak

Notify Devolved

Administrations

Notify EC and

OIE

Director -

Environment

/ Waste

Director

Animal

Health

Director

Veterinary

Policy

Director Rural

Economies &

Communities

Government FMD Co-

ordination Committee( or

COBR) established

Chair: Defra or Cabinet

Office CCS

Establish National

Disease Control

Centre

Advise on

control

policies;

Liaise with

OST, OGDs.

EU and OIE;

Horizon- scan

Advise on

control

policies;

Liaise with

key

stakeholders,

OGDs & EU;

Horizon- scan

Liaise with

Environment

Agency and

NDCC

Disposals

Cell

Liaise with

Countryside

Agency and

other rural

stakeholders

and NDCC.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

3. Involvement of the Armed Forces

3.1 Immediately a case of FMD is confirmed, the Director General

Operations and Service Delivery will contact the MOD Home and Special

Forces Secretariat and the Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat in

order to notify them of the outbreak and to ensure that aid can be sought (if

necessary) with the minimum delay. Subject to other Armed Forces

commitments, aid will be provided under the ‘Military Aid to the Civil Authorities’

(MACA) arrangements. In particular, the Armed Forces may provide assistance

with logistic capability and it may be appropriate to deploy at both tactical (silver

command) and operational (bronze command) levels.

Contact details for MOD Home and Special Forces Secretariat and Cabinet

Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat can be found at Annex E

3.2 It should be noted that the Armed Forces will have their own command

and control structure with overall co-ordination of their effort being controlled by

Armed Forces HQ Land. It is not appropriate for regional staff to approach

Army Brigade headquarters directly. All requests for assistance must be

passed through Defra HQ.

3.3 N.B. Brigade Commanders will take direction (but not commands) from

RODs/DVMs. The local military commander will decide how to best use his/her

troops based on the advice and directions received. Consideration may be

given to asking for Military Liaison Officers in LDCCs to take on a local strategic

co-ordination function.

4. Communications

4.1 Co-ordination of communications issues is the responsibility of the

Communications Directorate. See Annex G for a detailed plan of action in the

event of a suspected or confirmed case of disease.

4.2 Communications Protocol – Laboratory Test Results on a suspect

case

This protocol governs the issue of the distribution and timing of release

(external, internal and operational) of information on test results relating to

animal disease (subject to Data Protection considerations).

Responsibility for providing and communicating information

Information on the identification of a suspect animal and associated laboratory

results needs to be shared and agreed among all the principals in the chain,

circulated and discussed, with others in the department, government and other

interested parties.

The principals in the chain are the following:

Internal: CVO

DG OSD

Director SVS

AHWD.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

LSDG

CD (and GNN)

Private Offices

No. 10

SVS Contingency Planning

Local (AHDO/DCCs – DVMs (& RODs if in post)

External: Individuals affected

Stakeholders (NFU, etc)

Public

Therefore, in the case of an animal disease, the CVO or his nominated

representative co-ordinates the dissemination of information on the

existence of a suspect and the status of laboratory results.

The following responsibilities should be observed: (both inside and outside

office hours)

•CVO (or nominated representative) receives information from the field or

analysing laboratory and makes it available orally and electronically to

internal Defra principals simultaneously.

•Principals in turn disseminate information to others within their internal

networks.

•Discussion, normally by conference call, as quickly as possible between

principals, led by CVO or nominated representative to discuss the

communications aspects. A separate meeting may be required to discuss

disease control issues.

The arrangements for convening the conference call will be undertaken by CD

(out of hours the duty press officer who will be notified by the Duty Veterinary

Advisor in AHWD). A list of contact names and numbers for internal principals

and their deputies will be maintained by AHWD and available from the Defra

Duty Officer and the SVS Home Duty Clerk.

The agenda for the communications teleconference call would comprise (with a

report from bracketed party)

1. Situation Report - national (CVO nominated representative)

- local (DVM)

2. Timescale (CVO nominated representative)

3. Risk assessment (CVO nominated representative/DVM)

4. Communications objectives (Director of Communications)

5. Stakeholder Handling (national and local) (AHWD, DVM)

6. Agreed lines to take/press notice (Director of Communications).DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

7. Time of release and action points (CVO Nominated representative)

The following then take responsibility for informing externally at an agreed time:

-ROD/DVM: individual farmer (ROD/DVM to alert nominated

representative and CD/regional GNN as soon as the individual is told and

before informing other external groups);

- ROD/DVM: local stakeholders and farmers;

- AHWD/DG OSD: national stakeholders;

- CD/GNN: media, website, helpline, intranet (and other internal

communications to Defra staff), GNN

N.B. All News Releases are drafted by AHWD in conjunction with CD and

must be sent to all internal principals (particularly the DVM, in order to allow

them to contact the individual concerned) before being released externally.

Questions about the state of knowledge about the results and requests

for information about the status of test results should be addressed to the

CVO nominated contact..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

SECTION 3 – Initial Response: Issues

1. RESOURCES

1.1 Commitment to supply staff from Defra and associated Agencies

1.1.1 In the event of an animal disease outbreak, the rapid emergency

provision of staff from within core Defra and its associated Agencies will be a

key factor in the successful and timely control of the disease. The Management

Board will provide clear direction to Divisions, Agencies and work groups, in

order that non-essential staff can volunteer their services and be released

quickly. (Administrative staff from other government departments will be

seconded under the arrangements at 1.73 below)

1.2 Identification of UK veterinary personnel

1.2.1 The State Veterinary Service will maintain a database of their veterinary

personnel who are able to respond to any animal disease outbreak. (All

Veterinary Officers receive induction training on dealing with exotic diseases).

On authority from the Director SVS individuals will be alerted with immediate

effect and deployed as instructed by Divisional Veterinary Managers. (See

VIPER Chapter 3 and local response plans). In addition vets from other parts of

Defra and its agencies, and from other government departments will be alerted

and deployed as appropriate.

1.3 Identification of local practice veterinary personnel

1.31 The Director of SVS has commissioned a review of the way in which

private sector veterinary resource is harnessed by the SVS to assist with

fieldwork in both everyday and emergency situations. The Department expects

to consult on new arrangements in the Spring 2003. Until new arrangements

have been made as a result of this project, Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVIs)

will be used as appropriate under existing arrangements. Resources made

available in this way will be supplemented by the appointment of temporary

veterinary staff.

Revised terms and conditions of appointment for the use of other temporary

veterinary resource, e.g. from Industry, veterinary schools and other sources

are being formulated.

1.4 Identification of overseas Veterinary personnel

1.41 If overseas veterinary resource is deemed necessary following risk

assessment and epidemiological advice, the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) will

send a formal request to the International Animal Health Emergency.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Management Reserve Countries. The CVO will also send a formal request to

EU Member States if necessary. Induction training for incoming veterinary

surgeons will be arranged at London HQ through the Veterinary Resource

Division.

1.5 Identification of Regional Operations Directors

1.5.1 The Director General for Operations and Service Delivery’s office (DG

OSD) is responsible for identifying Senior Civil Servants who are equipped and

able to take up post as Regional Operations Directors (RODs) to lead the

LDCCs. DG OSD will maintain these details in a list annexed to this plan

(Annex F). See Section 4 of this plan for a detailed job description.

1.5.2 As soon as notification of a suspected case is received by the CVO or

Head of Veterinary Exotic Disease Division, the Head of Veterinary Service for

that SVS Region will be alerted by the Director SVS to be on immediate standby

to take up post as ROD. The contingency ROD for that region will also be

alerted to replace the HVS as soon as possible to lead the LDCC so that the

HVS can be transferred to strengthen veterinary management at HQ.

1.5.3 Contingency RODs will be allocated to one of the three SVS regions in

England and will be expected to take up post as soon as possible after

confirmation of the disease.

1.5.4 The DG OSD’s office also responsible for identifying contingency

Divisional Operations Managers (Grade 6) who are equipped and able to take

up posts working beside DVMs to manage the non-veterinary part of the

operation. Upon confirmation of a case a DOM for the region concerned will be

contacted by DG OSD and put on immediate stand-by to take up post as DOM.

DG OSD will maintain these details in a list annexed to this plan (Annnex F).

1.5.5 The contingency RODs and DOMs will establish effective links with their

region as part of their ‘everyday’ work objectives and training. This will include

spending a minimum of 5 working days per year in the region concerned, in

order to engage with the DVMs and key regional stakeholders. They will also

take part in contingency testing exercises.

1.6 Identification of key admin personnel

1.6.1 The National Disease Control Centre (NDCCs) and Local Disease

Control Centres (LDCCs) will require access to middle managers who are able

to take up key positions immediately on confirmation of disease. Their role is to

release veterinary resource from non-veterinary activities. See Sections 4,5

and 6 of this plan which define the initial and intermediate structures of the

NDCC and LDCCs. Key posts are identified, together with job descriptions and

Day 1 tasks.

1.6.2 As an interim position, Local Emergency Response Plans include details

of key personnel, together with key job descriptions. These individuals will be

called upon as soon as disease is confirmed and are expected to take up post.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

as soon as possible (within 24 hours of request). DVMs are responsible for

maintaining these lists.

1.6.3 The Director SVS will maintain a list of Defra middle managers who have

the required skills and experience to take up key positions in the NDCC. These

individuals will be called upon as soon as disease is confirmed and are

expected to take up post as soon as possible (within 24 hours of request).

1.6.4 Key admin personnel will be expected to take part in contingency testing

exercises. This should be written into their job descriptions and work

objectives.

1.7 Identification of general field and admin personnel

1.7.1 The NDCC and LDCCs will require immediate access to general field

and admin staff to support key personnel and veterinary colleagues in the

eradication of disease.

1.7.2 The Director General of Operations and Service Delivery will seek

Management Board authority to require the release of staff from Defra and

Defra Agencies to work on emergency sites.

1.7.3 Additional support staff may need to be drafted in from other government

departments. In this instance the Director General Operations and Service

Delivery will contact Cabinet Office Regional Co-ordination Unit and the Civil

Contingencies Secretariat to assist with the co-ordination of secondments,

initially through the Government Offices in the Regions (GOs). Concurrently,

Regional Operations Directors will liaise with GO Directors.

1.7.4 Having first sought clearance from the Director General Operations and

Service Delivery [or Director SVS], RODs may contact Regional Directors of

Jobcentre Plus (Department for Work and Pensions) in order to directly recruit

staff on short-term contracts. In this instance, guidance on contractual

arrangements should be sought from the personnel cell in the NDCC. The

Operational Support Secretariat of Job Centre Plus (Department of Work and

Pensions) may assist in brokering these arrangements and will be invited to

send a representative to the NDCC. (See Annex E - Contact List for details)

1.7.5 The SVS Personnel Unit at Worcester will advise on Human Resource

services for LDCCs and will provide one or more HR-trained personnel to assist

in setting up local and national HR teams. They will also maintain quality

control and provide policy guidance to local managers and HR teams on all

aspects of Human Resources.

1.8 Identification of specialist staff (i.e. Finance Managers, accountants,

auditors, IT and procurement specialists)

A workstream is identifying specialist staff, e.g. auditors, IT and procurement

specialists, who would be seconded to DCCs, short-term, to oversee the.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

introduction of procedures and systems. The key objective is to ensure

compliance with current policy and national and European directives.

2. TRAINING AND EXERCISES

2.1 Veterinary training

2.1.1 All new veterinary entrants to the SVS attend a one-day course on exotic

viral diseases at the Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright, in addition to general

and specific training related to all their work areas. This includes training in

notifiable disease procedures. Selected individuals also attend specific post-graduate

training, eg in epidemiology. Courses are held, as required, to ensure

adequate numbers of trained people across the country.

2.2 Private Sector Veterinary Training

2.2.1 The workstream referred to at para 1.3.1 is considering the enhanced

training of LVIs both in everyday and emergency situations.

2.3 AHO training in key emergency procedures

2.3.1 DVMs will identify individual Animal Health Office (AHO) staff to

undertake key emergency roles in line with the job roles outlined in VIPER

Chapter 3. They will ensure these staff are fully trained and equipped to

undertake their respective role and that their ‘everyday’ objectives include

reference to the key responsibilities required.

2.4 Induction training

2.4.1 The Director General of Operations and Service Delivery, Director SVS

and DVMs will ensure their permanent staff are familiar with this contingency

plan and the relevant local emergency response plans, VIPER Chapter 3 and

relevant Emergency Instructions; and business process maps.

2.4.2 As staff are recruited into local DCCs, NDCC managers must provide

sufficient induction training on emergency procedures. For key personnel, this

will centre on the job descriptions within this plan. Desk instructions for key

posts will be available in AHDOs (these should be regularly checked for

relevance). For other individuals recruited to support an LDCC, a brief outline

job description must be drafted. Managers must take time to describe the

jobholder’s duties, offer support and review the job role regularly. Managers

should consider establishing a ‘buddying’ system, whereby new recruits work

alongside existing jobholders to learn their job..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

2.5 Media Training

2.5.1 DVMs/RODs/HsVS should receive appropriate media training, in order to

deal effectively with the intense media interest surrounding an outbreak. A

short two day course, organised by Communications Directorate in conjunction

with an outside training company, uses broadcast journalists and a film crew to

enable participants to deliver professional standard broadcast interviews.

2.6 Procurement Training

2.6.1 Procurement and Contracts Division is establishing a training programme

for all staff involved with procurement (including those in LDCCs).

2.7 Contingency Testing

2.7.1 This plan will be regularly tested at both local and national levels through

simulation exercises using the key personnel identified. Stakeholders will be

fully involved in these exercises. It is intended that stakeholders, including

private veterinary practices, should be aware of Defra’s emergency procedures

and be fully involved in their on-going development.

3. ACCOMMODATION

3.1 Access to accommodation/IT and telephony infrastructure

3.1.1 DVMs will identify and regularly review the availability of potential LDCC

sites in liaison with BEM Division. BEMD has in place Facilities Management

Contracts covering all of England and Wales through which temporary and

other accommodation can be provided. Should further temporary

accommodation be required, as part of their local emergency response plans,

DVMs will also maintain details of suppliers and contractors.

4. IT

4.1 Disease Control System (DCS)

4.1.1 DVMs will ensure that all their AHO staff are familiar with the functionality

of the Disease Control System (DCS), requesting additional staff training from

SVS IT Branch as appropriate.

4.2 Financial database

4.2.1 A workstream is developing a generic financial database, which will be

rolled out to all AHOs. This system will be operational during ‘peacetime’,

therefore ensuring staff familiarity, with the facility to ramp-up during an

emergency..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

4.2.2 Following roll out, DVMs will ensure that the generic financial database is

installed in their AHOs and that staff are familiar with its functionality.

4.3 Stock control database

4.3.1 Following roll out, DVMs will ensure that the generic stock control

database is installed in their AHOs and that staff are familiar with its

functionality.

5. PROCUREMENT

N.B. Detailed Procurement advice and guidance outlining best practice for

Administrative staff will be included at Annex K

5.1 Detailed instructions and guidance for procurement professionals and

action by Procurement and Contracts Division can be found in the Procurement

and Contracts Division Contingency Plan.

5.2 National/regional/local call-off contracts

5.2.2 Procurement & Contracts Division are putting in place , regional and local

contracts with suppliers to meet the requirements in dealing with notifiable

diseases, and will review such contractual arrangements on a regular basis.

(Shall be reviewed by PCD). Consideration to be given for the suitability of

national contracts in order to ensure that the suppliers concerned remain

capable of fulfilling their commitments. A list of such contracts will be placed on

the PCD webpages at http: DVMs must liaise with PCD to ensure they have

adequate contractual cover in the event of an outbreak.

5.2.3 Local emergency response plans will contain a section outlining the

procurement procedure.

5.2.4 Purchase/hired goods registers

Following roll out, DVMs will ensure that the generic purchased/hired register is

installed in their respective AHOs and that staff are familiar with its functionality.

6. STORES

6.1 National minimum stocking levels

6.1.1 Minimum contingency stocks will be maintained at a central source

[Veterinary Laboratory Agency, Weybridge]. These will be sufficient to supply

equipment for 100 TVIs. Defra has a service level agreement (SLA) with VLA

which is reviewed regularly..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

6.2 Divisional minimum stocking levels

6.2.1 Each Animal Health Office holds sufficient equipment stocks to deal with

[10 disease outbreaks] in the first 48 hours. Additionally, each office holds

enough equipment to supply 20 TVIs during the first 48 hours. DVMs will

ensure that these minimum levels are maintained. Stock levels should be

managed using the generic stock control database (which will be rolled out to

Animal Health Offices).

7. DISPOSAL

7.1 Disposal Hierarchy

7.1.1 The Department of Health guidelines (published 24/04/2001) set out an

agreed disposal hierarchy as follows: -

1. Rendering

2. Commercial incineration (not air curtain incinerators)

3. Licensed commercial landfill

4. Pyre burning

5. Mass burial at Defra-owned sites and On-farm burial

However, policy developments and environmental constraints have altered the

preferred hierarchy as follows: -

1. Commercial incineration (not air curtain incinerators)

2. Rendering

3. Licensed commercial landfill (would probably need direction from the

Secretary of State)

7.1.2 A number of strategies are now in place to limit the numbers of animals

to be disposed of in any future outbreak and this should mean that these three

disposal routes would be sufficient. Although mass pyres will not be used in the

future, the use of alternative methods of disposal routes such as on-farm pyres

and on-farm or mass burial cannot be completely ruled out if demand exceeds

the capacity of the preferred options of incineration/rendering and licensed

commercial landfill. Any decisions to utilise these disposal routes will be taken

in consultation with key stakeholders and appropriate environmental and public

health assessments will be made at each disposal location.

7.1.3 Defra recognises that there are a number of factors that may impact on

the disposal hierarchy in the future. These include the implementation of

possible new environmental or waste management legislation and any changes

to capacity and accessibility of all the disposal outlets. This will mean that the

hierarchy will have to be regularly reviewed, in consultation with relevant

stakeholders, to take account of these issues. New technologies and facilities

will also be reviewed on a regular basis..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

7.2 Access to Incineration

7.2.1 Agreement in principle has been obtained with nine large animal

incinerator operators in England Scotland and Wales, to dispose of FMD

carcasses. The names and locations will not be released until all contractual

arrangements are completed.

7.2.2 Incineration capacity is limited and will only be able to deal with small

isolated outbreaks or the first few days of a new outbreak or disease

recrudescence.

7.2.3 As soon as a decision to slaughter has been taken, or where slaughter is

likely, the DVM or LDCC Disposals Manager should telephone: -

The disposal team in the NDCC

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) who, in consultation with the disposal

team, will allocate the disposal outlet taking account of location, number and

type of stock and spare capacity at each plant - see contacts below.

The national transport co-ordinator (If the call-off agreement for transport is

to be used - see transport section below) who can, in the interim, manage

the transport required (available at 24 hours notice)

7.2.4 The recipient DVM (for the disposal site) must be informed before the

transport leaves the IP.

- Transport will of course not be able to leave the slaughter site until it has been

fully cleansed & disinfected, it is therefore assumed that all areas continue to

have access to detox units.

- In the event of problems, a member of the Disposals team should be

contacted - see contact details below.

- Any queries related to biosecurity at disposal sites can be dealt with by Vet

Ops based in the NDCC who will consult Veterinary Policy teams within HQ as

appropriate in consultation with the DVM.

- The sending DVM must ensure that vehicles are properly cleansed and

disinfected and that the haulage contractors and accompanying personnel

follow strict biosecurity procedures. All vehicles used must be sealed and leak-proof

and accompanied by an escort.

7.3 Access to Rendering

7.3.1 A call-off agreement with a major rendering company has been agreed to

ensure a minimum lead-in time should there be resurgence of disease.

Additional capacity will be arranged in the event of a major outbreak, using the

RPA as brokers. Total weekly capacity in the order of 15,000 tonnes per week

could be made available. Transport will be provided separately through regional

contracts with hauliers, renderers and the knacker industry..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

7.3.2 DVMs will ensure they are aware which rendering facilities are available

to them in the event of an animal disease outbreak. The recipient DVM (for the

disposal site) must be informed before the transport leaves the IP.

7.3.3 Note that the arrangements and requirements in 7.2.4 above regarding

communication, biosecurity and transport must also be followed.

7.4 Access to Licensed Commercial Landfill sites

7.4.1 EU Animal By-Products regulation may preclude this option in 2003 and

beyond, although Defra is currently negotiating a derogation with the European

Commission. The Disposal team are negotiating, in consultation with the EA,

ESA and local authorities, structured agreements and national operational

protocols with licensed landfill sites. The Secretary of State may seek powers of

direction in the event of an emergency. Waste Management Division are

responsible for drafting the necessary statutory instruments.

7.4.2 DVMs will ensure they are aware which licensed landfill facilities are

available to them during an animal disease outbreak.

7.5 Transport

7.5.1 In consultation with the disposal team, the local DVM and disposal

manager will decide whether to use local transport contract arrangements or to

utilise the transport call-off agreement in place with 2 national haulage

companies. The duty officer will deal with requests for transport. On

confirmation of an outbreak, a national transport logistics manager, supported

by a regional transport manager(s), will be appointed and take over

responsibility for transport logistics and tasking from the local DVM.

8. SEROLOGY

8.1 Serology capacity

8.1.1 An agreement has been reached with VLA for them to provide

serological testing capacity for FMD on a contingency basis of 120,000 samples

per week at three laboratories. The first laboratory would be ready to start

testing within 3 weeks with an initial capacity of 7000 tests, 20,000 tests in the

second week and reaching full capacity of 40,000 in the third week. The

second laboratory would be operational within 6 weeks and a third laboratory

within 8 weeks with the same capacity build up. Full capacity of 120,000 tests

per week would be reached by the 10 th week.

8.1.2 In addition, IAH Pirbright provides a diagnostic testing service for FMD.

8.1.3 Personnel required to undertake blood sampling will be recruited and

trained under the co-ordination of the Veterinary Resource Division. Personnel.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

could be drawn from veterinary / agricultural students and from local Job

Centres.

8.2 Transport of samples

8.2.1 DVMs will ensure they have access to local couriers to transport blood

samples during an animal disease outbreak as per SVS standard instructions.

9. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

9.1 DVMs will ensure that appropriate staff are familiar with the Management

Information reports of the Disease Control System (DCS). This will ensure the

accurate and timely collation of statistical information for circulation to Head

Office colleagues and within the Divisional DCC itself.

9.2 RODs are required to submit daily situation reports (Sitreps) to the

NDCC Operations cell who will then circulate them to colleagues as appropriate.

These are required by 1800 hours. The sitrep format can be found at Annex D.

10. COMMUNICATION – also see Annex G

10.1 Media – also Annex G

10.1.1 News releases will be co-ordinated through Communications Directorate

Press Office. DVMs/RODs should ensure that they liaise with their local

Government News Network (GNN) representative to ensure that accurate and

timely briefings are given to the media and stakeholders.

10.2 Website

10.2.1 Defra’s FMD website is a key source of information in the event of an

outbreak of disease. It must be established as soon as possible. This is the

responsibility of the Head of Animal Movements an Exotic Diseases Policy

Division working in co-operation with the Head of New Media in

Communications Directorate.

The site will include: -

News and Information

A full list of Infected Premises (IPs) updated daily. This will not include

Contiguous Premises (CPs), Dangerous Contacts (DCs) or premises

slaughtered on suspicion (SOS) for data protection reasons.#

Full details of Infected Areas and Restricted Infected Areas (Blue Boxes),

including interactive maps

Full details of disease control measures and restrictions.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Advice to farmers, local authorities, and other rural stakeholders

Advice on rural activities

Links to relevant websites, (e.g. Meat and Livestock Commission, Environment

Agency, The Countryside Agency, English Nature, Food Standards Agency, the

Devolved Administrations, National farmers Union, Open Britain, Local Authority

sites, etc).

10.3 Help lines

10.3.1 Defra General Helpline 08459 335577 to prepare for intense public

interest, identifying staff resources/supplementary helplines plus briefing needs.

Plans to escalate capacity are covered n Annex G

10.4 Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR)

10.4.1 The Strategy Board meeting chaired by Defra’s Permanent Secretary on

Day 1 will consider the need to engage COBR or a similar inter-Departmental

co-ordination committee. A representative from the Cabinet Office Civil

Contingencies Secretariat should attend this meeting to advise on Government-wide

co-ordination.

10.5 National Disease Control Centre

10.5.1 The Director SVS will establish a National Disease Control Centre

as soon as disease is confirmed (see Section 5).

10.5.2 The NDCC has a pivotal role in providing information and an accurate

ground picture. It is responsible for co-ordinating the regional situation reports

and collating key statistics to be reported to the wider Government Community

and No.10. Key stakeholders will be present in the NDCC and will attend daily

‘birdtable’ meetings.

11. PUBLICITY AND DISEASE AWARENESS

11.1 Notifiable Disease Awareness programmes

11.1.1 Headquarters and DVMs, working with Communications Directorate, are

involved in the following awareness programmes: lectures/demonstrations to

veterinary schools, veterinary practices and agricultural colleges; direct mailing

to livestock producers and articles in the veterinary and farming press as

appropriate; and frequent contact through testing inspection and advisory visits

to livestock producers and those working in ancillary industries including

markets, slaughter houses and livestock transport.

12. INTER-AGENCY / STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

12.1 High level involvement of other government departments, agencies and

stakeholders will be agreed at the initial Strategy Board chaired by the

Permanent Secretary. Initially, requests for additional personnel will be

addressed to Government Offices in the Regions through the Cabinet Office

Regional Co-ordination Unit and the Civil Contingencies Secretariat. Other

requests for assistance and resources will be passed from DG OSD direct to

the OGDs concerned and copied to the Cabinet Office CCS.

12.2 The regular animal health stakeholder meetings will be upgraded in the

event of an outbreak under the chairmanship of the Animal Health Minister [or

as necessary by the Chief Veterinary Officer or the Director Animal Health

deputising for him] and will meet more frequently . Representatives from key

stakeholder organisations will be invited to attend going beyond agriculture and

the food sector to embrace wider countryside interests. The possibility of

having separate sub-groups to look at particular issues in greater depth (eg

trade; countryside access; tourism; etc) will be kept under review, according to

the scale of the outbreak.

12.3 DVMs will engage with local stakeholders as part of their routine

emergency-preparedness arrangements and where possible include them

in the planning and implementation of regular local exercises.

12.4 Local Authorities will form a key element of the emergency response

and, in conjunction with the DVM / ROD, will play an essential role in liaising

with local stakeholders and the wider community. They will have a role in the

enforcement of Restricted Infected Area provisions, the closure of rights of way

and processing of licence applications. DVM and RODs must ensure that they

make contact with their local authorities at the appropriate level (county/unitary

authority, and borough if applicable) as soon as possible after an outbreak

occurs. In particular, DVMs should work with Local Authorities’ Emergency

Planning Officers and Trading Standards Officers in order to understand their

local plans and response capabilities in relation to Defra’s plans, and also to

utilise their expertise.

13. HEALTH AND SAFETY / STAFF WELFARE

Also See Annex J

13.1 The Defra Departmental Health and Safety Unit (DHSU) and SVS VRT

Safety Team are the key safety professionals who must be involved in all

aspects of operational planning. They will ensure that all LDCC's have a

named safety professional to provide competent advice at all stages of

operations; as far as is operationally possible this individual will be located in

the LDCC and it is expected that provision will be made for this. DVMs and

RODs must ensure that the competent safety person is included as part of

their management team.

13.2 The Departmental Health and Safety Manager will operate as part of the

Operations Cell in the NDCC, providing health and safety advice at the strategic

level..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

13.3 All staff should be made aware of Defra’s Welfare Service which can

provide support and guidance in individual cases of stress or hardship.

13.4 A strategic health and safety plan in support of these arrangements has

been produced by Defra and is detailed in Annex J of this document. All

relevant personnel must follow these arrangements.

14. ANIMAL WELFARE

14.1 Provisions for ensuring the welfare of animals on-farm, at markets or in

transit (at the time of movement controls being imposed) are detailed in VIPER

Chapters 31 –34. Slaughter or killing must be carried out in accordance with

the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (Inset 31 refers).

Provisions for emergency slaughter on farm for poor welfare are detailed in

VIPER Chapter 32 Section G. Procedures for slaughter / killing for disease

control purposes are detailed in VIPER Chapter 3 Section L.

14.2 Animal Welfare Policy Division and Animal Welfare Veterinary Division

hold suitable licences for the movement of animals and instructions for their

issue and use in the event of movement restrictions being imposed. Animal

Welfare Policy Division holds copies of advice to stock-keepers to assist them in

maintaining welfare in the event of movement restrictions being imposed.

14.3 The needs of animals and their welfare will be given early consideration

in the event of a disease outbreak or emergency.

14.4 Where possible animal should be kept alive and healthy where they are.

This is first of all the responsibility of the farmer, but there may be a need for

Government assistance possibly in the form of a fodder scheme and/or a

licensed movement scheme. Any animal welfare disposal scheme would be an

option of very last resort. Examining the options for such schemes and looking

at plans for implementing them will be the responsibility of the Head of

Livestock Strategy Division in consultation with the Heads of Animal Welfare

Division and the Animal Welfare Veterinary Division.

15. CLEANSING AND DISINFECTION OF AFFECTED PREMISES

15.1 Detailed guidance on the procedures for cleansing and disinfecting

affected premises can be found at Section N of VIPER Chapter 3.

16. RODENT CONTROL

16.1 Rodent Control will be carried out on infected premises, on behalf of

Defra, until the disease risk from rodents has been minimised (e.g. carcasses

and potentially infected feed have been removed during the Cleansing and

Disinfection procedures). This control will be by the National Wildlife

Management Team (NWMT) and will be co-ordinated nationally with staff.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

operating within, and reporting to, the Biosecurity Unit of the local LDCC’s.

Following this, responsibility for rodent control will revert to the owner or

occupier of the infected place.

17. FINANCIAL CONTROL

17.1 The Finance Director will issue guidance on accounting policies, financial

databases, audit trails, desk instructions and checklists on financial controls

including:

•Roles and Responsibilities of Finance Managers - and reporting

responsibilities (See also job descriptions in NDCC and VIPER

Chapter 3)

•Authorisation levels for payments, delegations, management

checking, write-off, over and under payment procedures in

accordance with the Department's Finance Manual and Government

Accounting

•Desk Instructions, check lists and the policy on the retention of

records

•Databases for finance information and statistics

•Chart of accounts, cost centre codes and objective codes

•Fraud guidelines in accordance with the Department's Policy,

including the process of dealing with allegations of fraud

•Budgeting, estimates and the monitoring of expenditure

•Liaison with the NAO, EU and Internal Auditors

•Liaison with the Procurement Cell

•Regular liaison with Department's Accountancy Services Division and

the Director of Finance and HM Treasury

•Provision of regular financial information

18. VACCINATION

18.1 Vaccination contingency plans are currently being developed in

discussion with a wide range of Stakeholders

18.2 In the short term ADAS will provide resource for an emergency

vaccination programme under a contract with Defra. This will provide capacity

to start a vaccination programme on notification from the NDCC.

18.3 Longer Term arrangements will be made through a commercially let

contract. This will be designed to provide an appropriate level of resource and

expertise to support the SVS and enable emergency vaccination to be used in

the future where appropriate.

18.4 The Government is currently reviewing vaccine supplies both at a

national and international level. The UK is a member of the International

Vaccine Bank, the EU Vaccine Bank and owns a national stock of vaccine..DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

33.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

SECTION 4 – Strategic Level Structures (Gold)

Defra Gold-Level Plan – Exotic Animal Disease Outbreaks

Introduction

Background and Scope

Defra is lead Department for the control of Exotic Animal Disease outbreaks.

The Gold Plan forms a Section of the Defra Exotic Animal Disease Contingency

Plan. The Gold plan relates to the strategic level structures and functions

necessary for effective command, control and communication in the event of a

disease outbreak.

The Gold Plan defines the necessary structures, roles and responsibilities for

those involved in the strategic level decision-making process.

The decision-making processes at Gold level will be focussed entirely on

defining, reviewing and refining strategies for disease control, communications,

disposal, relief and recovery. (see Defra Strategy Board and Government FMD

Co-ordination Committee)

The Government Co-ordination Committee exists to challenge and ratify the

disease control strategies that are developed by Defra and to review and

develop other cross-departmental strategies taking into account the wider

issues affecting rural economy.

Stakeholders’ issues and concerns will be raised at a separate meeting and

tabled at Government Co-ordination Committee by Defra Directors General.

Tactical (Silver) issues will only be addressed at the Defra daily Exercise

Direction Group and National Disease Control Centre.

Operational (Bronze) decisions are devolved (in the main) to the Local Disease

Control Centre under the control of the Regional Operations Director.

Structures

The key structures are outlined below: -

(also see diagram at page 15).DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Title Defra Daily Emergency Direction Group

Purpose A daily forum for defining the major issues arising from the

outbreak and providing tactical direction to the NDCC

Meets 08.15 – 08.45 daily after initial confirmation of disease in

Room 806a 1A, Page Street, London

Activation

criteria

As soon as possible after initial confirmation of disease the

Chief Veterinary Officer (or his representative) will notify the

Permanent Secretary and agree the establishment and timing

of the Strategy Board and Government Co-ordination

Committee. Thereafter the CVO will notify the Director SVS,

who will in turn Emergency Direction Group members as soon

as practically possible (as per the Communications protocol

Section 2, para 4 of the contingency plan).

Timing: 08.15 (after the 07.30 NDCC Birdtable)

Reports to Government Co-ordination Committee, Daily Communications

Meeting, Defra Strategy Board, Defra Animal Disease Policy

Group, Defra Rural Issues Group, Defra Science Group,

Directorates involved with control effort (as required – e.g.

ITD, CSD,)

Directs National Disease Control Centre (via Director SVS),

Core

Membership

DG OSD (Chair), Director SVS, (Deputy Chair), Director Vet

Policy, Director Animal Health & Welfare, Director

Communications (or Chief Press Officer), Director Legal

Services A

Other

Members

Other Defra Directors (as necessary and invited through

Chair)

Information

received

from

Birdtables, NDCC daily report, Stakeholder meetings

Tools NDCC Report, Disease Control System (database),

Objectives - Share information between key tacticians (after NDCC

Birdtable 07.30)

- Identify the daily tactical issues that need to be addressed

and report upwards to Strategy Board for resolution on (e.g.

policy and strategic resourcing issues)

- Trigger establishment of Defra Strategy Board (if not already

established)

- Agree the tactical application of the strategies produced by

the Strategy Board

- Disseminate tactical instructions to the National Disease

Control Centre (NDCC)

- Consider representations (via Directors) from Stakeholder

meeting in defining the application of strategies

N.B. This is NOT the forum for discussion of strategic issues –

these should be raised at Government Co-ordination

Committee and via Policy Groups

Output - Report of major issues and key decisions on the tactical

application of strategies (owned by Director SVS) – sent to

NDCC Heads and Strategy Board members,

- Report of major issues and recommendations - sent to.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Government Co-ordination Committee,

- Requests for additional briefing,

Secretariat Director General - Operations & Service Delivery office

Key Contact Details

Chair (DG OSD)

(also Strategy

Board Member)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Deputy Chair:

Director State

Veterinary

Service

(also Strategy

Board Member)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director Legal

Services A

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director Animal

Health & Welfare

also Strategy

Board Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director Vet

Policy (DCVO)

(also Strategy

Board Member)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director

Communications

(also Strategy

Board Member)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Title Defra Daily Communications Meeting

Purpose A daily forum for considering the major issues arising from the

outbreak in order to direct communications (internal &

external) and provide a line for a media brief.

Meets 10.00 – 10.30 daily after initial confirmation of disease in

Room 806,Nobel House, 17, Smith Square, London

Activation

criteria

As soon as possible after initial confirmation of disease the

Chief Veterinary Officer (or his representative) will notify the

Permanent Secretary and agree the establishment and timing

of the Government Co-ordination Committee. Thereafter the

Director of Communications will notify the relevant senior

officials (listed below) as soon as practically possible and

agree their attendance at the Communications Meeting(as per

the Communications protocol Section 2, para 4 of the

contingency plan).

Timing: 10.00 – 10.30 (brief taken from 07.30 NDCC

Birdtable, Emergency Direction Group meeting and

Government Co-ordination Committee)

Reports to Government Co-ordination Committee, Defra Animal Disease

Policy Group, Defra Science Group, Defra Rural Issues

Group, Emergency Direction Group, Directorates involved with

control effort (as required – e.g. ITD, CSD,)

Directs

Core

Membership

Director Communications (Chair), Permanent Secretary,

Minister(s), Chief Veterinary Officer, DG Operations & Service

Delivery, Defra Chief Scientific Adviser, Number 10, GICS /

NCC, CCS,

Other

Members

Other Defra DGs / Directors (as necessary and invited through

Chair)

Information

received

from

Birdtables, NDCC daily report, Emergency Direction Group

immediate read-out, Stakeholder meetings

Tools

Objectives - Share information between key strategists (after NDCC

Birdtable 07.30 and Government Co-ordination Committee)

- Identify the key messages and issues of the day

- agree appropriate media handling for a briefing at 11.00

Output - Media handling position for 11.00 media briefing (owned by

Director Communications),

- Report of major issues and key messages – sent to NDCC

Heads and Government Co-ordination Committee members

and published on FMD website

- Requests for additional briefing,

Secretariat Communications Directorate.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Key Contact Details

Chair (Director

Communications)

also Strategy

Board Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Minister(s) Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Permanent

Secretary

also Strategy

Board Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Chief Veterinary

Officer

also Strategy

Board Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Chief Scientific

Adviser

also Strategy

Board Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director General

Operations &

Service Delivery

also Strategy

Board Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Number10 Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

GICS / NCC Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

CCS Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Title Government FMD Co-ordination Committee

Purpose The forum for reviewing strategies in a wider Government

context and for dealing with operational strategy issues that

affect other Government Departments

Meets 09.00 as necessary, in Room 808 Nobel House, 17, Smith

Square, London or COBR

Activation

criteria

As soon as possible after initial confirmation of disease the

Chief Veterinary Officer (or his representative) will notify the

Permanent Secretary. The Permanent Secretary’s office will

notify other Departments’ Permanent Secretaries by e-mail.

This will be followed by [GICS] briefing provided to OGDs via

Defra Communications Directorate

Timing: 09.00

Directs - other Government Departments

- Defra daily Emergency Direction Group

- Defra Strategy Board

Core

Membership

Chair: Cabinet Office or Defra DG OSD? Secretariat: CCS]

DEFRA (Permanent Secretary, DG OSD , CVO, CSA),

SEERAD, WAG, Number 10, Cabinet Office (CCS, RCU,

Econ/Domestic Sec.), EA, CA, LGA / LACORS, MOD, Home

Office (& ACPO), DWP, DoH (inc. CMO), DCMS, DfT, HMT,

FSA,

Other

Members

N/A

Information

received

from

Defra Strategy Board Report, [NDCC daily report], NDCC

representatives

Tools N/A

Objectives - Receive Defra position on strategic issues for consideration

of its wider implications and for refinement if necessary; in

particular strategies for relief and recovery,

- consideration and development of operational strategy

development to ensure a government-wide approach to the

emergency

- Consider representations (via Directors General) from

Stakeholder Meetings when developing strategies

- Report back to Defra Strategy Board

- Reports forward to the Defra daily Emergency Direction

Group on any issues affecting tactical control through the

NDCC

- Reports to home departments and the centre

This a forum for strategic discussion – operational issues

should be raised through representation at National Disease

Control Centre.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Output - Committee Report of key decisions on Strategies - reports

(requiring action) to Defra Strategy Board, Defra Emergency

Direction Group and OGDs

- and / or Minutes of meetings,

- Requests for additional briefing, -

Secretariat Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat

Key Contact Details

Chair

(Permanent

Secretary –

Cabinet Office?)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Deputy

(Defra DG OSD)

also Strategy Board and

EDG Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Defra Permanent

Secretary

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Defra Chief

Veterinary Officer

also Strategy Board

Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Defra Chief

Scientific Adviser

also Strategy Board

Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Title Defra Strategy Board

Purpose The strategic decision-making body in Defra

Meets 15.00 (Routine) and meets as soon as possible after initial

confirmation of disease and then as necessary in Room 806

Nobel House, 17, Smith Square, London

Activation

criteria

As soon as possible after initial confirmation of disease the

Chief Veterinary Officer (or his representative) will notify the

Permanent Secretary and agree the establishment and timing

of the Strategy Board and the Government Co-ordination

Committee. Thereafter the CVO will notify Strategy Board

members as soon as practically possible (as per the

Communications protocol Section 2, para 4 of the contingency

plan).

Timing: 15.00

Reports to - Secretary of State and Defra Ministers

- Reports forward to the Government FMD Co-ordination

Committee

Directs Defra daily Emergency Direction Group

Core

Membership

[Minister], Permanent Secretary (Chair) , DG OSD (Deputy

Chair) All Defra Directors General, Environment Agency,

Countryside Agency, Directors: SVS, AHW, CD, Finance,

Legal Services A

[N.B. A minimum of DGOSD, CVO, CSA, Directors: SVS,

Legal Services A (or DGLS) & CD (or their deputies) are

required for a quorum]

Other

Members

Other Defra Directors (as invited)

Information

received

from

Birdtables, NDCC daily report, Animal Disease Policy Group,

Science Group, Rural Issues Group, Government FMD Co-ordination

Committee, Emergency Direction Group report,

Finance Report (from Director of Finance)

N.B. Directors should raise issues for consideration at the

Strategy Board through their Directors General using the

report form at XXXX

Tools (Template for meeting provided below), Decision Tree for

Control Strategies,

Objectives - Liaise with Cabinet Office on input to the Government FMD

Co-ordination Committee (and who should Chair)

- Consider advice/recommendations from Defra Emergency

Direction Group

- Agree appropriate strategies for disease control and their

application, taking into account the impact of these upon the

rural economy

- Develop existing strategies in response to the developing

disease situation and advice received from policy fora (Animal

Disease Policy Group, Science Group, Government FMD Co-ordination

Committee)

- Consider representations (via Directors) from Stakeholder.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Meetings when developing strategies

- Horizon scanning for future scenarios that may have an

impact on strategies

This is NOT the forum for discussion of operational or tactical

issues – these should be dealt with at the daily Emergency

Direction Group

Output - Strategy Board Report, (notes of key decisions on strategies,

including background information)

- and/or Minutes of meetings,

- Requests for additional briefing,

- Reports to Government FMD Co-ordination Committee and

Emergency Direction Group (requiring action)

Secretariat Permanent Secretary’s Office

Key Contact Details

Chair

(Permanent

Secretary)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Deputy

(DG OSD)

also EDG Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Minister Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Chief Veterinary

Officer

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Chief Scientific

Adviser

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

DG Environment Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

DG Food,

Farming,

Fisheries,

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

DG Land Use

Rural Affairs

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

DG Legal

Services

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director State

Veterinary

Service

(also EDG Member)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director Animal

Health & Welfare

(also EDG Member)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director Vet

Policy (DCVO)

(also EDG Member)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director Finance,

Planning &

Resources

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director

Communications

(also EDG Member)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Environment

Agency

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Countryside

Agency

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Agenda for the first Defra Strategy Board Meeting

Chair: Permanent Secretary (or nominee [DG OSD])

Membership: [Minister], (DG OSD – Deputy Chair) All Directors General,

Environment Agency, [Countryside Agency], Directors: SVS, AHW, CD,

Finance

[N.B. A minimum of DG OSD, CVO, CSA, Directors: SVS, Legal Services A (or

DGLS) & CD (or their deputies) are required for a quorum]

1. Disease and Epidemiology – current situation

2. Action taken and its implications

3. Operational Organisation – current situation

4. Proposals for future action (including communications internal and

external)

5. Devolved Administration Issues

6. EU / International Issues

7. AOB

8. Date / Time of Next Meeting.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Template for First Report to DEFRA Strategy Board Meeting

(See also AMED Notification Proforma NDI 1)

Chair: Permanent Secretary (or nominee [DG OSD])

Membership: [Minister], (DG OSD – Deputy Chair) All Directors General,

Environment Agency, [Countryside Agency], Directors: SVS, AHW, CD,

Finance

[N.B. A minimum of DG OSD, CVO, CSA, Directors: SVS, Legal Services A (or

DGLS) & CD (or their deputies) are required for a quorum]

Issue: Report of Notifiable Exotic Animal Disease

(Suspected / Confirmed / Negative)

Facts: (Possible) diagnosis of –

Name of Disease:

Disease symptoms:

(use layman’s terms)

Samples taken to lab on:

(Diagnosis on basis of clinical symptoms or Lab test):

Name of Proprietor / Owner / Stockholder: (or ‘location’ for data

protection issues)

Address:

Decisions taken/decisions to be taken

SVS Division Dealing:

Name of DVM (or their nominee):

Name of SVS Region Head of Veterinary Services:

Names of Policy Leads: - Confirmation of Disease:

- Vaccination:

Name of SVS HQ Lead:

Epidemiology:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Animals slaughtered:

Provide a summary of the disease outbreak:

Have contingency plans been invoked? To what extent? (Provide a

summary of restrictions imposed, implementation of Contingency Plan –

what action has been taken so far)

Likely Scenarios: (Although limited information is likely to be available,

should consider likely scenarios and their impact on the issues

highlighted below, challenge assumptions, horizon scan for future risks

likely to affect current strategies)

Issues:

Outline of Risks:

Are there adequate resources?

E.g. Vets

Administrators

Case Officers

Bleeders

DGs to consider release of (i) key personnel as identified in contingency

arrangements, (ii) other personnel as requested

Impact on DG’s business plans as a result of resource reallocation

Vaccination: Vaccine

Vaccination Kits

Vaccinators

What is the lead-in time?

Armed Forces involvement?

Required level of enforcement of local restrictions?

Who will enforce?

Define Strategy for:

•Disease Control (see Disease Control Decision Matrix at Annex ?)

Consider: Set control targets - Likely timelines

Restricted Infected Area status

Impact on rural economy / communities.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Impact on Environment / Environmental Factors

•Media Handling

Notification Checklist: (as per responsibilities outlined in contingency plan)

Number 10

Cabinet Office – Permanent Secretary

Civil Contingencies Secretariat

Regional Co-ordination Unit

SEERAD

WAG

DARDNI

FSA

OST – Chief Scientific Advisor

MOD

HMT – EFRA

DCMS

DoT

European Commission

OIE

DWP – Jobcentreplus

Environment Agency

Countryside Agency

Rural Payments Agency

National Farmers Union.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Title Defra Science Group

Purpose To provide independent science advice to the Government

Co-ordination Committee and challenge strategic assumptions

Meets As necessary (and initially after the first Government Co-ordination

Committee) in Room 806 Nobel House, 17, Smith

Square, London

Activation

criteria

As soon as possible after initial confirmation of disease the

Chief Veterinary Officer (or his representative) will notify the

Permanent Secretary. Thereafter the CVO will notify Strategy

Board members (including the CSA) as soon as practically

possible (as per the Communications protocol Section 2, para

4 of the contingency plan). This will trigger the CSA to alert

Science Group members (as below).

Timing: Science Group will meet after the first Government

Co-ordination Committee. Time: to be agreed

Reports to Government Co-ordination Committee & Defra Strategy Board

Core

Membership

Defra Chief Scientific Adviser (Chair), Members of the Science

Advisory Council Animal Disease Sub-Group augmented by

experts from their emergency stand-by list (including EU

experts who may be accessed through protected internet link).

Other

Members

CVO’s representative, Science Directorate Officials, and

representatives from MoD, OST, CCS, FSA, EA, DoH & PHLS

as appropriate. Other technical experts, including those with

relevant industry expertise may be asked to provide briefing on

specific issues.

Information

received

from

NDCC daily report, Disease Control System (database),

Epidemiology (Interspread) model(s), Met Office, ‘other’

models, Animal Disease Policy Group, Defra Rural Issues

Group, Defra Strategy Board, Government FMD Co-ordination

Committee,

Tools Disease Control System (database), Epidemiology model(s),

Met Office and ‘other’ models,

Objectives - Advises the Government Co-ordination Committee on the

science relating to disease control, carcass disposal and farm

restoration and its implications, in order that the Committee

can develop appropriate strategies

- Challenges assumptions within strategy development

- Horizon scanning for future scenarios that may have an

impact on strategies

- Close liaison with Animal Disease Policy Group (to avoid

overlap and gaps)

Output - Notes of advice and key decisions, and background

information in support of these;

- Minutes of meetings,

Secretariat Chief Scientific Adviser’s office

Key Contact Details

Chief Scientific

Adviser (Chair)

also Strategy Board

Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Title Defra Animal Disease Policy Group

Purpose To provide disease control advice and policy

recommendations to the Government Co-ordination

Committee and challenge strategic assumptions

Meets As necessary (and initially after the first Defra Strategy Board /

Government Co-ordination Committee) in Room XXX, 1A

Page Street, London

Activation

criteria

As soon as possible after initial confirmation of disease the

Chief Veterinary Officer (or his representative) will notify the

Permanent Secretary. Thereafter the CVO will notify Strategy

Board members (including the Directors of Veterinary Policy

and Animal Health and Welfare) as soon as practically

possible (as per the Communications protocol Section 2, para

4 of the contingency plan). This will trigger the Director

Veterinary Policy to alert other Animal Disease Policy Group

members (as below).

Timing: Animal Disease Policy Group will meet after the first

Defra Strategy Board. Time: to be agreed

Reports to Defra Strategy Board

Core

Membership

Defra Chief Veterinary Officer (Chair), Defra Chief Scientist’s

representative, Director Vet Policy, Director Animal Health and

Welfare, Head of Epidemiology (VLA), Head of LSDG Animal

Health & Welfare Division (or Director Legal Services A)

others to be confirmed

Other

Members

External Membership to be confirmed

Information

received

from

NDCC daily report, , Defra Science Group, Defra Rural Issues

Group, Defra Strategy Board, Government FMD Co-ordination

Committee,

Tools Disease Control System (database), Epidemiology model(s)

e.g. Interspread, Met Office and ‘other’ models

Objectives - Advises the Government Co-ordination Committee on

disease control policy, in order that the board can develop

appropriate strategies

- Challenges assumptions within strategy development

- Horizon scanning for future scenarios that may have an

impact on strategies

Output - Notes of advice and key decisions, and background

information in support of these;

- Minutes of meetings,

Secretariat Chief Veterinary Officer’s office.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Key Contact Details

Chief Veterinary

Officer (Chair)

also Strategy Board

Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director Vet

Policy (Deputy)

also EDG Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director Animal

Health and

Welfare (Deputy)

also EDG Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Head of

Epidemiology

(VLA),

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Title Defra Rural Issues Group

Purpose To provide advice and policy recommendations on rural

issues to the Government Co-ordination Committee and

challenge strategic assumptions

Meets As necessary and initially after the first Defra Strategy Board /

Government Co-ordination Committee in Room 806 Nobel

House, 17, Smith Square, London

Activation

criteria

As soon as possible after initial confirmation of disease the

Chief Veterinary Officer (or his representative) will notify the

Permanent Secretary. Thereafter the CVO will notify Strategy

Board members (including the Director General LURA) as

soon as practically possible (as per the Communications

protocol Section 2, para 4 of the contingency plan). This will

trigger the Director General LURA to alert Rural Issues Group

members (as below).

Timing: Rural Issues Group will meet after the first Defra

Strategy Board. Time: to be agreed

Reports to Government Co-ordination Committee & Defra Strategy Board

Core

Membership

Director General Land Use & Rural Affairs, Director Rural

Economies & Communities, Director Land Management &

Rural Development, Countryside Agency, Cabinet Office

Regional Co-ordination Unit, others to be confirmed

Other

Members

External Membership to be confirmed, e.g. DCMS, DTI, Home

Office, DWP (Jobcentre Plus),

Information

received

from

NDCC daily report, , Defra Science Group, Defra Rural Issues

Group, Defra Strategy Board, Government FMD Co-ordination

Committee,

Tools N/A

Objectives - Advises the Government Co-ordination Committee on

policies affecting rural communities and industries, including

carcass disposal and farm restoration,

- Challenges assumptions within strategy development

- Horizon scanning for future scenarios that may have an

impact on strategies

Output - Notes of advice and key decisions, and background

information in support of these;

- Minutes of meetings,

Secretariat Director General LURA office.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Key Contact Details

Director General

Land Use & Rural

Affairs (Chair)

also Strategy Board

Member

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director - Rural

Economies &

Communities

(Deputy)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Director - Land

Management &

Rural

Development

(Deputy)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Countryside

Agency

(also Government Co-ordination

Committee

member)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Cabinet Office

Regional Co-ordination

Unit (also

Government Co-ordination

Committee

member)

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:

Name

Work Tel:

Home Tel:

Mobile:

E-mail:.DEFRA’s FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN

Title External Stakeholder Meeting

Purpose To provide stakeholders with a forum for discussing and

influencing policy developments and to help steer the strategic

direction

Meets Meets (suggested once a week) in Room 808 Nobel House,

17, Smith Square, London

Activation

criteria

By open invitation, managed by Com