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Introduction
i. This contingency plan provides the framework of the Scottish Government's response to both a suspected and confirmed outbreak of exotic notifiable animal disease in Scotland or elsewhere in Great Britain. The framework plan has four main chapters:
- Chapter 1, covering the principles of disease control
- Chapter 2, covering the overarching command and control structure and processes at the strategic, tactical and operational levels;
- Chapter 3, setting out the roles and responsibilities of individuals or organisations that play a part in the control process.
- Chapter 4, outlines other operational partners, agencies, government departments (Scottish and UK level), and international organisations that play an essential role in the management of disease control.
ii. The contingency framework plan may be applied to a range of exotic notifiable animal diseases affecting livestock but principally those that are infectious and contagious diseases. It does not cover vector borne diseases such as bluetongue or West Nile virus for which the disease control responses are different. For each of the diseases that pose a threat to Scotland's economic wellbeing an Annex has been (or will be) prepared covering specific details for each disease:
- Foot and Mouth Disease ( FMD)
- Avian Influenza ( AI)
- Newcastle Disease ( ND)
- Classical Swine Fever ( CSF)
- African Swine Fever ( ASF)
- Swine Vesicular Disease ( SVD)
iii. The framework is consistent with the requirements of EU and Scottish legislation. Scottish Ministers have legal responsibility and authority for the control of notifiable animal disease in Scotland. The framework recognises that animal disease does not respect geographic boundaries. Cooperation and coordination with other UK Governments is essential if animal disease is to be controlled effectively with minimal impacts on the economy, environment, rural communities and countryside pursuits.
iv. The plan has been produced in accordance with the advice of The Scottish Government's Scottish Resilience Unit and takes account of the recommendations in Professor Scudamore's Report - The Foot and Mouth Disease Review (Scotland) 2007. This may be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/06/23130049/21 .
v. The framework has been written for a wide readership, not only those in Government, its agencies and operational partners but also for those who may be affected by an outbreak of animal disease either directly or indirectly. Plain English has been used wherever possible but when technical language is used, it has been explained. The framework sets out what is required at a strategic level for control and explains the rationale for any required actions. For ease of reading the framework makes use of Concept Boxes to explain particular rationale and approach. It sets out at a strategic level what needs to be done, by whom and why, so that all can work together with a common purpose to achieve the strategic objectives of the Scottish Government. The framework does not cover the detailed contingency plans and instructions of operational partners, since these are owned by them. However, where necessary, it provides an overview of their role and responsibilities so that others put in context their own role and responsibilities.
vi. The framework work sets out the principles and strategic objectives of animal disease control. At the start of any outbreak there will be great uncertainty about its eventual scale, extent and duration. Not all the mechanisms, structures and processes set out in the framework may be necessary depending on the scale of the outbreak. In the early stages of an outbreak depending on the particular disease it may be necessary to have country wide stringent controls until the extent of likely spread has been assessed by veterinary experts. The control tools set out in the framework will need to be used flexibly in order to meet the strategic control objectives.
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