Specialist advice: Biosecurity

National response and guidance to an exotic animal disease outbreak will be led by an appropriate government department, with special procedures adopted during outbreaks. They may issue appropriate guidance to emergency responders with the aim of:

• Eradicating the outbreak
• Protecting the health and safety of the public and those involved in controlling the outbreak
• Minimising the burden on the taxpayer and the economic impact of the outbreak
• Minimising the number of animals that need to be humanely destroyed

The control measures required to minimise the effects of emergency responders on the eradication of the disease will depend on the type of outbreak and how it spreads. National and local contingency arrangements and emergency plans are available for identified risks. Fire and rescue services should consider these risks during development of contingency plans, and develop emergency response plans with emergency planning groups.