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SCOTLAND'S EXOTIC DISEASE CONTINGENCY PLAN
COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY

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CONTENTS

1. INITIAL ACTIONS
Outline of the initial course of action that will take place upon notification of a suspected disease outbreak
2. ON CONFIRMATION
Actions to be taken once disease in confirmed, including the setting up of a website and helpline.
3. ONGOING ACTIONS UPON CONFIRMATION
Activities that will be ongoing throughout an outbreak, including the role of the communication Co-ordinator and stakeholder involvement.
4. INFRASTRUCTURE AND TOOLS
A description of the infrastructure and tools that will be used to disseminate information as widely and effectively as possible.
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Job Descriptions
Appendix B: Action List
Appendix C: Template News Releases
Appendix D: Communication Matrix
Appendix E: Glossary

SCOTLAND'S FMD CONTINGENCY PLAN - Communications Strategy

Animal health and welfare policy is fully devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and Scottish Ministers will be responsible for determining the policy response to any animal disease emergency situation. Given that disease knows no boundaries and that Great Britain is a single epidemiological unit, a co-ordinated disease control approach will be taken across Great Britain. Although this document has been drafted with an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in mind, it is designed to be broadly applicable to animal disease emergencies in general.

The lead role in communications will be taken by SEERAD working in close partnership with stakeholders and operational partners.

1. INITIAL ACTIONS - FROM SUSPECT CASE TO CONFIRMATION

First Steps

1.1 Tight communication and co-ordination of activity is essential to a successful disease control process. The first step upon notification of a suspected case of exotic animal disease in Scotland will be for the (designated) Head of the Strategy Unit to brief the Minister and senior management on the situation. MSPs/MPs with a constituency interest will also be alerted. The Strategy Unit will contact and brief the head of the Press Environmental and Rural Desk and liaise with the latter to make sure arrangements are in place in case of confirmation. The Strategy Unit will ensure internal colleagues with an interest are made aware of the situation.

News Release

1.2 As soon as is practicable a News Release will be issued to alert people to the existence of the suspect case and the imposition of movement restrictions in the immediate area of the suspect premises. The local DVM, in conjunction with Press Office, will liaise with appropriate local media - e.g. local radio station - to raise local awareness of the situation and the imposition of movement restrictions on susceptible animals in proximity to the suspect premises.

Policy on Naming of Locations- Suspect

1.3 A suspect case is taken to be the situation in which susceptible animals have been inspected by a veterinary officer who cannot rule out disease on clinical grounds and samples have been sent away to confirm the presence (or otherwise) of the virus. Form C will be issued at this point; this imposes movement restriction on susceptible animals within an 8 km radius of the suspect premises. The Scottish Executive's News Release will not name suspect locations unless there are specific disease control reasons for doing so. The Executive has a duty of care which requires that everything reasonably practicable is done to protect the interests and wellbeing of people in Scotland. It also reflects concerns that immediate disclosure of a suspect case will impact on the reporting of future suspect cases, potentially making animal keepers less likely to report suspicion of a notifiable disease to the SVS - this is clearly undesirable. Although the location of the suspect case will not be identified, a map showing the area placed under movement restrictions will be issued. Other agencies, such as Local Authorities, receiving media calls on this subject should refer them to SEERAD.

Policy on Naming of Locations - Confirmed

1.4 If a fast spreading exotic disease (such as FMD) is confirmed, the premises will be named. This reflects the disease control benefits that will be achieved through raising awareness of the disease situation and obtaining quick support in activities such as tracing possible contact animals. This policy does not extend to any other diseases - such as TB - where the different nature of the disease makes such disease control benefits unlikely to arise, thereby making it difficult to justify breaching individual right to privacy.

Communications Co-ordination

1.5 The Strategy Unit will send the news release to key stakeholders and operational partners. Members of stakeholder groups will be asked to be ready to attend a meeting if disease is confirmed. The Executive's Disease Strategy Group (DSG) will be set up and a Communications Co-ordinator will be appointed to support it. The co-ordinator will have a good understanding of the Contingency Plan, this communications strategy and the main processes and personalities involved in an outbreak. The overarching role of the Communication Co-ordinator is to ensure information is targeted and available to all those who need it. Also, given the importance of communications to the overall response strategy in any outbreak, the Co-ordinator will have direct input to the DSG. (see Appendix A for a more detailed job description.)

Media Support

1.6 A Scottish Executive Press officer will be sent to the local Animal Health Office to support the DVM and co-ordinate communications on the ground and with other agencies. This Press Officer will be deployed in a confirmed case and if appropriate at the suspect case stage.

Local Helpline

1.7 DVMs will discuss with Local Authority emergency planning groups the establishment of local helplines. This number, when known, will be given to the Strategy Unit for inclusion on the website, in future press releases, and will be advertised locally. It will support all aspects of local needs, e.g. social services, as well as disease related information.

2. ON CONFIRMATION

First Steps

2.1 As soon as disease is confirmed a News Release will be issued to confirm the situation and meetings held as soon as practicable to inform disease control stakeholders (see Appendix E). Stakeholder groups at both local and national level will play a pivotal role in keeping their members informed. They will alert the Executive to any particular issues and will be given a reciprocal role to play in offering feedback. Discussions will also be held with access interests

Web Page

2.2 A FMD web page on the Executive website will be drawn up, in advance where possible, to provide core information and contact points. (Section 4 covers in more depth the infrastructure and tools used.)

National Helpline

2.3 A National Helpline led by Scottish Executive Agricultural Staff, will be set up. This will provide information on animal disease control related measures and signpost people to where other more specific information can be obtained - e.g. business support.

Press ERAD

2.4 Press Environment and Rural will be supported to provide a core Press FMD team. A press officer will be sent to support the response at headquarters level.

3. ONGOING ACTIONS UPON CONFIRMATION

Developing A Communication System

3.1 Upon confirmation of disease the emphasis will be on providing consistent, accurate and up-to-date information. Given the potential wide ranging impact of disease outbreaks much of the communication work needs to be in partnership with other agencies and organisations. This will reduce the development of parallel systems which can cause duplication of effort and mixed messages. In all this, a pivotal role will be played by the Communications Co-ordinator, who will ensure that the Executive's own communication channels are geared up to deal with requests for information and clarification.

The Communications Co-ordinator's Role

3.2 The Communications Co-ordinator's role will centre on co-ordinating the distribution of information to the appropriate parties. S/he will: overview communications requirements and implementation; evaluate and disseminate information to those who need it both internally and externally; be responsible for stakeholders and LDCC(s) liaison; ensure the central Press Officer, the helpline and website team co-ordinators receive the necessary information and updates for further dissemination; monitor and review media reports. It is vital that the communications coordinator liaise with the relevant operational policy contacts to confirm the legislative status before issuing any notice of disease control measures. The co-ordinator will also be responsible for production of a daily action bulletin ( see section 4.3). Appendix A contains a job description for the Communications Co-ordinator.

There will be an assistant Communications co-ordinator who will provide support to the Communications Co-ordinator and the National Press Officer, and act as a central contact. S/he will: keep a log of all important pieces of information circulated; be responsible for actual dissemination of information approved by the co-ordinator; answer phone calls; have ownership of the Q & A Briefing, distribution and contact lists; draft the internal Brix briefing note ( see section 3.3). A more detailed job description can be found in Appendix A.

Stakeholder Meetings

3.3 As part of the Executive's commitment to a 2 way communication process, regular stakeholder meetings will be held for the duration of the outbreak; their frequency will be determined in discussion with stakeholders. Membership of the stakeholder group is detailed in Appendix E and other stakeholders can be drawn in as appropriate to the discussion/situation. The Communications Co-ordinator should ensure that livestock keepers are sent a letter informing them of the situation as early as possible; this letter will also include advice on how to minimise disease risk, such as information on biosecurity.

Local Disease Control Activity

3.4 The Scottish Executive Press Office will work with other agencies to ensure that a co-ordinated and consistent message is disseminated to support the local disease control operations and related activities. This co-ordination will occur through the LDCC management control team and through specific communication co-ordination meetings. The main expectation is that agencies will focus on their specific area of expertise and collaborate with others to ensure that a joined up message is sent out. It is hoped that news releases will be given at least 15 minutes circulation to all partner agencies in advance of impending issue. This prior notice will allow those affected time to activate any necessary arrangements/measures and give an opportunity for inaccuracies to be picked up before they are formally issued.

The local Press Officer will set up a local media briefing at the LDCC as and when required.

Local Helplines

3.5 In addition the Scottish Executive will work with other agencies - e.g. local authorities, health boards, local enterprise companies and industry - to operate a local Helpline capable of dealing with a wide range of local questions relating to issues such as animal disease control, public health and welfare and business support. It is intended that this will build on existing local emergency planning infrastructure. There will be a pre-prepared Question and Answer Briefing to assist all staff handling telephone enquiries, which will be continuously updated by the Assistant Communications Co-ordinator. A national helpline will also be established in Pentland House, and while its focus will principally be on disease control, it will be able to signpost people to other appropriate contacts ( See 4.1 for more detail.)

4. INFRASTRUCTURE AND TOOLS

As part of the development of the central communications strategy, independent consultants were commissioned to produce a matrix of principal groups who will have communications needs within a disease situation. It highlights their likely needs as well as the most effective communications media. This matrix (in Appendix D), which has been developed by independent external consultants, will be used to guide the implementation of the communications work.

Helpline

4.1 The Executive will set up an official Helpline system. One will be set up at the national level and will be led by SEERAD Agricultural staff. Further Helplines will be set up at the local level, joining together support from SEERAD, local authorities, health boards and other relevant local organisations. A Matrix is included in Appendix D laying out communication channels and systems, as well as detailing key audiences and where roles and responsibilities lie.

Website

4.2 SEERAD is developing a 'dark site' for background information on FMD and other diseases, complementing the use of the regular website, for the distribution of immediate information in the event of an outbreak. This would operate at a moment's notice. This website will contain information about:

• the disease itself

• access advice

• economic advice e.g. on sources of business advice

• biosecurity

• movement restrictions

• legislation

• maps of the infected area(s)

• a list of links to other relevant/useful sources of information such as Local Authorities' websites, helpline numbers etc.

This information will be prepared in advance where possible, so that it is ready for use early during an outbreak. Resources will be dedicated to maintaining this site and ensuring that its contents are constantly reviewed and up to date. Every piece of information issued, such as press releases etc, will also be available on this website. This website will be part of the Scottish Executive website, linked to the regular animal health and welfare pages. For ease of access this page will be signposted on the Executive's homepage.

Internal Communication

4.3 The Communication Co-ordinator will also ensure a Brix briefing note is provided on the intranet and regularly updated, so that internal briefing can be easily accessed by all within the Executive. Regular 'birdtable' meetings will take place for those in the disease control effort. Each attendant will give a quick update of their progress and actions, to ensure all parties involved have a clear idea of the current situation. These meetings will take place after the Disease Strategy Group meeting, and be chaired by the Communications Co-ordinator.

Daily Action Bulletin

4.4 One of the tasks of the Communications Co-ordinator will be to produce and circulate a Daily Action Bulletin. This will be issued by a set time each morning, after the DSG meeting, to all involved in the disease response activity. It will provide operational information about events and planned announcements, so that everyone is aware of key activities and events. The Press Officer attached to the LDCC will have a key role in bringing together local information to feed in to the Bulletin. S/He will also ensure that the information is shared with other local agencies, either through the LDCC management team or through the communication co-ordination forum. The ROD will also issue a daily situation report (Sitrep) at the end of the day, particularly highlighting any issues needing resolution.

Media

4.5 The relationship with the media is a reciprocal one. The Executive receives requests for interviews and information, whilst in turn will also want to use the media to help spread information. The full range of media tools will be employed as appropriate, including news releases; media briefings; one-to-one interviews; background features; specialist TV programmes and agricultural sections, in particular papers; trade publications; visits; photography/filming. Ceefax and Teletext have also a part to play in disseminating information. The Scottish Executive Press Office will build on their existing relationship with the media to ensure smooth and rapid information provision. The press officer based in the LDCC will share information about media activity with other agencies' press offices.

4.6 The Executive will work alongside other administrations and agencies, such as VisitScotland and the British Tourism Authority, to ensure the international media are kept informed, up-to-date, and receive an accurate representation of all outbreak related events.

Other Tools

4.7 While the main communications tools have been outlined, there are clearly others which may be needed in a fast moving situation. Other modes of communication which may also be used if they are deemed to be of value in that particular situation include:

• Mobile Phones: Sending text updates and getting in touch with key stakeholders to communicate urgent/sensitive information

• One-to-One and Group/Forum Meetings: Usually called at short notice, by invitation, to update stakeholders and invite feedback

• Public Meetings, e.g., Community Councils and Other Interested Groupings: To allow the general public an opportunity to interact face-to-face and ask questions

• E-Mails: To distribute non-urgent information and documents, bearing in mind not to overload or distribute unnecessarily/too widely

• Faxes: For reaching farmers/stakeholders without email access

• Direct Mail: While there are differing views on the effectiveness of direct mail, SEERAD recognise the importance of communications that are directed and delivered to individual farmers during an outbreak. Therefore thought is being given to the introduction of branding for disease emergency communication, to be placed on mailing envelopes. This would ensure that those receiving the mail would be aware that this related to an outbreak.

APPENDIX A- JOB DESCRIPTIONS

This appendix contains job descriptions for the posts created specifically in the communications strategy context; other roles' job descriptions are covered in detail in the Contingency Plan.

The Communications Co-ordinator's role is vital to the smooth running of the disease response: to ensure information is targeted at and available to all those who need it. This role calls for someone in a fairly senior position, who will be the central contact during the outbreak, and needs to be copied into every significant piece of communication being circulated. This person will be a core member of the Strategy Unit.

S/he will:

• Take overview of communications requirements and implementation

• Co-ordinate all communications, evaluating and disseminating information to those who need it both internally and externally

• Liaise with relevant contacts in Operational Policy to confirm legal status before any operational/disease control instructions/measures are issued

• Liaise with stakeholders and LDCC(s)

• Ensure the central Press Officer and helpline and website team co-ordinators receive the necessary information and updates for further dissemination

• Monitor and review media reports

• Given the importance of communications to the overall response strategy in any outbreak, the Co-ordinator should also ideally have direct input to the DSG.

There will be an Assistant Communications Co-ordinator who will provide infrastructural support to the Comms Co-ordinator and act as a central, stationary contact.

S/he will:

• keep a log of all important pieces of information circulated

• keep an events log with key action points from meetings, except meetings of the DSG

• be responsible for actual dissemination of information approved by the co-ordinator

• answer phone calls

• have ownership of the Q & A Briefing and distribution and contact lists.

Chief Press Officer ERAD

• To liaise with Head of Strategy Unit, DSG and Head of News to agree the timing of deployment of press office staff to LDCC.

• To liaise with Communications Co-ordinator on timing and content of press announcements. To attend DSG and other meetings as appropriate and advise on presentation of policy decisions and involvement of Ministers in that presentation.

• To work with DSG members in providing press briefings as required.

• To liaise with Press Officer assigned to LDCC to agree lines for local briefings and provide DSG with presentational advice on local issues.

Local Press Officer

• To liaise with CPO, DVM and the ROD to agree lines for local briefings, press releases etc. To liaise with communications staff of local stakeholder bodies, including Vets/LAs/Police/other statutory and voluntary bodies,

• To co-ordinate lines in response to press enquiries ensuring consistent messages.

• To organise and co-ordinate press briefings as appropriate at LDCC.

• To provide presentational advice to the DVM and the ROD and other LDCC staff as required.

APPENDIX B: ACTION LIST

Initial actions - From suspect case to confirmation

Head of Strategy Unit

1. Brief Ministers

2. Inform internal contacts, Senior management and MSPs with constituency interest

3. Contact SEERAD Communications Co-ordinator and Press Office.

4. Brief Co-ordinator and Head of Press Environment and Rural.

5. Decide communications actions/level with reference to specific circumstances, in line with Contingency Plan and Communications Strategy, including any requirement to send a Press Officer/s to LDCC/s.

6. Complete initial template news release

Communications Co-ordinator(If not appointed yet, these are functions of the Head of Strategy Unit.)

1. Take overview of communications requirements and implementation.

2. Attend DSG meetings.

3. Make initial contact with PRs and key stakeholders, and liaise as appropriate. Advise them of situation/actions and gain awareness of their communications activities (or otherwise).

4. Liaise with LDCC/s as required (post-confirmation).

5. Develop/schedule daily communications plan, including news releases and briefings, and circulate internally and to key stakeholders for operational guidance (day 1 post-confirmation).

6. Plan for actions on confirmation of outbreak, decide requirement for appropriate communications staff, internally and on locations, with provision for rota if required.

7. Confirm that website is ready for activation.

8. Maintain regular contact with PR staff at different locations on an ongoing basis

9. Ensure all staff are briefed and kept up-to-date.

Press ERAD

1. On notification of suspected outbreak Head of Press Office will agree with the DSG and Communications Co-ordinator the levels of dedicated, full-time support from the Press Office.

2. A Foot and Mouth Disease Press Team will be on standby for activation on confirmation. One Press Officer will be assigned to the Policy Unit to liaise with the policy team;

3. In addition a press officer will be attached to the LDCC to deal with Press Liaison locally, and help with the following:

• Regular media briefings (with attendance from key officials and relevant local stakeholders when appropriate)

• Handling bids for interviews with the ROD, DVM and PAO

• Handling of media visits

• Close co-ordination with press officers of local partners and stakeholders

• The press officer based in the LDCC will share information about media activity with other agencies' press offices.

4. To liaise with DEFRA Press Office.

5. Respond to media calls.

Key Tasks

First Steps on Confirmation of the Disease:

• Activation of the Website and Helpline action: Comms Co-ord.

• Information to be passed to the information cells (access, economic impact, helpline and website managers) action: Comms Co-ord

• Hold a meeting of the Disease Control Stakeholder Group action: Head of Strategy Unit

• A Ministerial Press Conference- action: Head of Press, ERAD

Head of Strategy Unit

1. Confirm Disease and inform the Communications Co-ordinator and Head of FMD Press Office. Agree next communication steps and establish time to reconvene for further discussion.

2. Ensure that LDCC is informed of confirmation and aware of the need to participate in the DSG.

3. Brief the Minister.

4. Confirm meeting with Disease Control Stakeholder Group.

5. Distribute news releases to stakeholders, media and others as appropriate, including Government departments, website, and helpline responders.

Communications Co-ordinator

1. Establish the Daily Action Bulletin.

2. Brief information cells so that they can cascade information.

3. Decide if darksite is to be activated, and if so which pages. Provide information and updates for website.

4. Decide if helpline is to be activated and check that updated information is reaching helpline staff.

5. If activated, initiate publicity of website address and of other official websites. Likewise, if activated, initiate publicity of helpline number and of other official helplines, using prepared templates.

6. Ensure subsequent updating of website.

7. Ensure helpline staff are receiving responses to questions received and that these are circulated.

8. Monitor/review media reports and respond as appropriate.

9. Monitor/review overall communications/components and respond as appropriate.

Media Briefing

Head of FMD Press Team

1. Respond to media questions.

2. Decide if Press Office requires expert support present in responding to media questions, and arrange as and when required.

3. Co-ordinate media briefing/s and decide timing, participants and messages.

4. Advise and brief participants for media briefings/interviews.

5. Advise media of briefing timing.

6. Anticipate requests for photography/filming and requirements/requests for media visits and decide/plan.

7. Advise the media on biosecurity issues, e.g. no access to infected premises, avoid proximity to wildlife etc.

APPENDIX C: TEMPLATE NEWS RELEASES

FOOT AND MOUTH PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE

<DATE>

Following a report of <SYMPTOMS> in a <ANIMAL> on a farm in the <GEOGRAPHICAL AREA>, precautionary movement restrictions have been served on the farm and all farms within an 8 kilometre (5 mile) radius. A map of the area in question is attached.

This is standard procedure for suspect cases of Foot and Mouth Disease, pending the outcome of laboratory tests of samples.

Samples from the <ANIMAL> have been sent to the international reference laboratory at the Institute of Animal Health in Pirbright, Surrey.

Initial results will not be available until <DATE>.

Precautionary restrictions have also been placed on farms in <GEOGRAPHICAL AREA> which have had contact with the suspect animal.

Members of the public with any concerns should contact their local animal health office.

The Scottish FMD Contingency Plan can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/agriculture/fmdcontingency.pdf

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONFIRMED IN <PLACE>

<DATE>

An outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has been confirmed at <NAME> Farm, <PLACE>, <COUNTY>. The State Veterinary Service is investigating the causes of the outbreak and the Scottish Executive has activated its emergency response plan.

In response to this Scottish Ministers are putting in place a number of pieces of legislation which will have the effect across Scotland of:

• Banning susceptible animal movements

• No markets, fairs, shows or other gatherings of susceptible animals and sales.

• Ban on the export of meat and meat products and importation of susceptible species.

In addition there will be restrictions imposed on

• itinerant breeding services.

• Control of products from slaughterhouses and knacker's yards (human consumption; by-products).

• Detention of stray susceptible animals; may be destroyed.

• Control of dogs, other four-footed animals and poultry.

• Cleansing and disinfection (C & D) requirements at markets, collecting centres, etc.

• Ability to close footpaths (subject to approval of Scottish Ministers.)

In addition restrictions have been put in place to ban people coming on farm for the purposes of shearing/dipping of sheep and the ultrasound scanning of susceptible animals.

Heightened Biosecurity

In addition to these, heightened biosecurity arrangements have been put in place for 10km around the infected premises. This is intended to minimise the risk of mechanical disease spread and will impose the following conditions:

• all vehicles entering and leaving livestock farms and other such premises should be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected;

• livestock farmers must maintain disinfectant footbaths at every entry to, and exit from, their premises;

• special licensing provisions and extra conditions for all lorries making any deliveries to and collections from farms and other livestock premises;

• special measures for tankers collecting milk from farms including the need for the vehicles to be accompanied by an official;

• a system of specific licences for moving forage onto and off farms and also for the spreading of slurry; licences can be obtained from the …………………..

• that joint Local Authority/Police/Scottish Executive Patrols will monitor the area to ensure biosecurity requirements are met;

• footpaths and rights of way through, and within, the infected area will be closed.

The Scottish Executive's Environment and Rural Affairs Department, in conjunction with other agencies, will distribute information leaflets on specific issues relating to the IA. This information is also available on the Scottish Executive Agriculture website [ http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/?pageID=43]

Access

Outside the Infected Area there will be a presumption in favour of access. Closures outside the RIA will only be permitted by Scottish Ministers on the basis of veterinary risk assessment.

Notes for Editors

FMD susceptible animals include: cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer.

The Scottish FMD Contingency Plan can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/agriculture/fmdcontingency.pdf

The Scottish Statutory Instruments are………

The map showing the Infected Area is attached.

APPENDIX D- THE MATRIX

Key External Audience	Key Information Required	Channel of Communication	Responsibility
Farmers in Infected Area	Practical Arrangements	Telephone Contact	ROD/DVM
	Next Steps/Compensation	Telephone Contact/Direct Mail	Policy Team
	Welfare Support	Helpline	Local Authority
	Detailed Outbreak Status	Website or Helpline/Media	ROD/DVM
	Govt Policy	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Regulations	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Response Strategy	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Scientific Information	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Gen Background on disease	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	FAQ	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
Farmers In-region	Practical Advice	Direct Mail/Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Detailed Outbreak Status	Website or Helpline/Media	ROD/DVM
	Govt Policy	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Regulations	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Response Strategy	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Scientific Information	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Gen Background on disease	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	FAQ	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
Farmers Outside	Practical Advice	Website or Helpline/Media/Direct Mail	Policy Team
	Detailed Outbreak Status	Media/Website	ROD/DVM and Policy Team
	Govt Policy	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Regulations	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Response Strategy	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Scientific Information	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Gen Background on disease	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	FAQ	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
Stakeholders	Detailed Outbreak Status	DSCG Meeting - Email Update	Policy Team
	Operation Information	DSCG Meeting - Email Update	Policy Team
	Govt Policy	DSCG Meeting and Website	Policy Team
	Accurate contact details	Email	Policy Team
	Regulations	Website	Policy Team
	Response Strategy	Website	Policy Team
	Scientific Information	Website	Policy Team
	Gen Background on disease	Website	Policy Team
	FAQ	Website	Policy Team
	Compensation/Next Steps	Website	Policy Team
	Access Information	Website	Policy Team/Access Group
	Business Recovery	Website	Enterprise Dept
Local Stakeholders	Detailed Outbreak Status	LSG Meeting - Email Update	ROD/DVM
	Operation Information	LSG Meeting - Email Update	ROD/DVM
	Govt Policy	LSG Meeting and Website	ROD/DVM
	Accurate contact details	Email	ROD/DVM
	Regulations	Website	Policy Team
	Response Strategy	Website	Policy Team
	Scientific Information	Website	Policy Team
	Gen Background on disease	Website	Policy Team
	FAQ	Website	Policy Team
	Compensation/Next Steps	Website	Policy Team
	Access Information	Website	Policy Team/ Access Group
	Business Recovery	Website	Policy Team
MSPs (with policy/const interest)	Detailed Outbreak Status	Briefings	Policy Team
	Outbreak Status	Parliamentary Research Paper	Policy Team
	Govt Policy	Website/Committee Meeting	Policy Team
	Regulations	Website/Committee Meeting	Policy Team
	Response Strategy	Website/Committee Meeting	Policy Team
	Scientific Information	Website	Policy Team
	Gen Background on disease	Website	Policy Team
	FAQ	Website	Policy Team
	Compensation/Next Steps	Website	Policy Team
	Access Information	Website	Policy Team/Access Group
	Business Recovery	Website	Enterprise Dept
MSPs/MPs/MEPs	Outbreak Status	Parliamentary Research Paper	Policy Team
	Govt Policy	Website	Policy Team
	Regulations	Website	Policy Team
	Response Strategy	Website	Policy Team
MSPs/MPs/MEPs (continued)	Scientific Information	Website	Policy Team
	Gen Background on disease	Website	Policy Team
	FAQ	Website	Policy Team
	Compensation/Next Steps	Website	Policy Team
	Access Information	Website	Policy Team/ Access Group
	Business Recovery	Website	Enterprise Dept
Media	Detailed Outbreak Status	Interviews	Press Officer - ROD/DVM
		Local Press Conference	Press Officer - ROD/DVM
		News releases	Press Officer - ROD/DVM
	Any and all other information	Website	Press Officer - Policy Team
General Public - out of region	Outbreak Status	Media / Helpline or Website	Policy Team
	FAQ	Helpline or Website/Media	Policy Team
	Access Advice/Policy	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
General Public - in region	Detailed Outbreak Status	Media or Website
	FAQ	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Impact on Local Services	Helpline or LA Website/Media	Local Authority
	Access Information	Helpline or Website/Media	Policy Team/Access Group
Economic Impact Group	Outbreak Status	EIG Meeting and Email Update	EIG Co-ordinator from Policy Team
	Govt Policy	EIG Meeting and Email Update	EIG Co-ordinator from Policy Team
	Access Information	EIG Meeting and Email Update	EIG Co-ordinator from Policy Team
	Business Recovery	EIG Meeting and Email Update	EIG Co-ordinator from Policy Team
Access Group	Outbreak Status	AG Meeting and Email Update	AG Co-ordinator from Policy Team
	Govt Policy	AG Meeting and Email Update	AG Co-ordinator from Policy Team
	Access Information	AG Meeting and Email Update	AG Co-ordinator from Policy Team
	Business Recovery	AG Meeting and Email Update	AG Co-ordinator from Policy Team
Visitors	FAQ	Website or Helpline	Policy Team
	Access Advice/Policy	Website or Helpline	Policy Team/Access Group
	Facilities Open	VisitScotland Website	VisitScotland from Policy Team
Local Govt - In Region	Detailed Outbreak Status	LSG Meeting/Email Update/LDCC	ROD/DVM
	Operation Information	LSG Meeting/Email Update/LDCC	ROD/DVM
	Govt Policy	LSG Meeting/LDCC	ROD/DVM
	Accurate contact details	Email	ROD/DVM
	Regulations	LDCC	ROD/DVM
	Response Strategy	LDCC	ROD/DVM
	Scientific Information	LDCC	ROD/DVM
	Gen Background on disease	LDCC	ROD/DVM
	FAQ	LDCC	ROD/DVM
	Compensation/Next Steps	LDCC	ROD/DVM
	Access Information	LDCC	ROD/DVM
	Business Recovery	LDCC	ROD/DVM
Community Council in Region	Outbreak Status	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Govt Policy	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Regulations	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Response Strategy	Meeting with ROD/DVM	ROD/DVM
	Scientific Information	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Gen Background on disease	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	FAQ	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Compensation/Next Steps	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team
	Access Information	Website or Helpline/Media	Policy Team/Access Group
	Business Recovery	Website or Helpline/Media	Enterprise Dept
Local Govt - Outside of Region	Outbreak Status	Email Update	Policy Team
	Govt Policy	Website/COSLA update	Policy Team
	Regulations	Website/COSLA update	Policy Team
	Response Strategy	Website/COSLA update	Policy Team
	Scientific Information	Website/COSLA update	Policy Team
	Gen Background on disease	Website/COSLA update	Policy Team
	FAQ	Website/COSLA update	Policy Team
	Compensation/Next Steps	Website/COSLA update	Policy Team
	Access Information	Website/COSLA update	Policy Team/Access Group
	Business Recovery	Website/COSLA update	Enterprise Dept

APPENDIX E- Glossary

AG
C & D	Cleanse and disinfect
COSLA	Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
CPO	Chief Press Officer
CVO	Chief Veterinary Officer
DSG	Disease Strategy Group
DVM	Divisional Veterinary Manager
FMD	Foot and Mouth Disease
FSA	Food Standards Agency
IA	Infected Area
LA	Local authority
LDCC	Local Disease Control Centre
LSG	Local Strategy Group
MSP	Member of Scottish Parliament
NFUS	National Farmers Union Scotland
PAO	Principal Agriculture Officer
RIA	Restricted Infected Area
ROD	Regional Operations Director
SAC	Scottish Agricultural College
SEERAD	Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department
SEPA	Scottish Environment Protection Agency
SNH	Scottish National Heritage
TB	Tuberculoses