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Foot and Mouth Disease

I have today laid before Parliament DEFRA's Exotic Animal Disease Generic Contingency Plan, in accordance with Section 18 of the Animal Health Act 2002 which came into force on 24 March 2003. This plan sets out the operational arrangements DEFRA will put in place to deal with any occurrence of Foot and Mouth Disease, Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease or Classical Swine Fever. It replaces DEFRA's Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan and the Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Contingency Plan which were both laid before Parliament on 31 March 2004. DEFRA's Contingency Plan is very much a ““living document””. It will be subject to ongoing revision taking on the latest scientific advice, developments in policy and comments from operational partners and stakeholders. To meet the provisions of the Animal Health Act, the plan will also be subject to formal annual review.