Defra Bluetongue Enforcement Guidance (England)
Introduction
Bluetongue disease affects all ruminants. Animals such as pigs, horses (and humans) are unaffected. Unlike Foot & Mouth Disease, the Bluetongue virus is not directly transmitted between animals, but is spread by a small number of species of biting midges.
For further information about Bluetongue, click here to view the DEFRA website.
Bluetongue disease controls aim to minimise spread from notified outbreaks by putting in place movement controls over a large area around the infected premises. The vector-borne nature of the disease (and hence a widespread distribution of vectors) ensures that the risk of disease spread can only be mitigated against to a limited degree. Given Bluetongue isn't spread directly from animal to animal, Bluetongue controls concentrate on zones not premises and compulsory slaughter of ruminants infected with bluetongue would not normally form part of the control strategy once its in circulation in vectors. The precautions taken to limit the impact of Bluetongue disease in the UK are outlined in the UK Bluetongue Control Strategy. Please click here to view those.
Compliance with such movement controls is essential to help control Bluetongue and illegal animal movements should be dealt with according to the enforcement guidance detailed below and Home Office Enforcement Concordat.
Notes:
(i) 'Animal' is defined as a ruminating animal.
(ii) Pigs and horses are not susceptible to Bluetongue and BT controls do not therefore apply.
Further information:
For further details please refer to:
BT Zones
The zones imposed to control Bluetongue are:
Control Zone: the innermost zone around the infected premises aimed at containing circulating disease. Animals can be moved into and within the zone but are restricted from moving outside of this zone. Animals can only exit the Control Zone for moves direct to slaughter in the PZ.
Please refer to licences available on the Defra website for latest information (licences allowing movement out of zones are likely to be for slaughter purposes only): http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/movements/index.htm.
(Information correct as of 11 October 2007 (17:00), please refer to website for updates).
Protection Zone (PZ): the PZ extends 150km from the infected premises and animals can be moved within the PZ. Animals are restricted from exiting the PZ to the 'free-area', If animals move into the CZ, movements back into the PZ are prohibited except under licence to allow moves for slaughter in the PZ.
Please refer to licences available on the Defra website for latest information (licences allowing movement out of zones are likely to be for slaughter purposes only): http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/movements/index.htm.
(Information correct as of 11 October 2007 (17:00), please refer to website for updates).
Bluetongue advice has been integrated with the Foot and Mouth Disease pages and please refer to the link below to access information for areas within Bluetongue and Foot and Mouth Disease control zones: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/movements/index.htm
Note:
- Please refer to the DEFRA weblink above for further information about zones, declarations and movement controls.
- The General licences apply to England only, for licences that apply to Scotland and Wales please see the Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly Government websites, links to which are available on DEFRA website mentioned above.
Enforcement Guidance
Compliance with the disease control measures is essential and local authorities enforce the Bluetongue (England) Order 2003 (as amended) (ie, The Bluetongue (Amendment)(No. 2)(England) Order 2007: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20072808.htm.
Detection of non-compliance will require local authorities to take appropriate action, given the Enforcement Concordat principles and local enforcement policy. Since confirmation of the Bluetongue outbreak, movement restrictions have been in place since 29 September 2007, and any cases of illegal moves may justify enforcement action as by now animal keepers should by now be aware of such restrictions.
Moves to markets, other premises, etc.
If illegal movement of animals from the Bluetongue PZ to other premises outside the PZ is detected, the animals should be returned directly to the premises of origin as soon as possible. Consideration may be given to appropriate vector mitigation measures if appropriate (please refer to guidance on the disease vector and potential mitigation measures at: http:///www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/pdf/guidance-vector.pdf.
Moves to Slaughterhouses
If animals are moved illegally outside of the Bluetongue PZ to a slaughterhouse, the illegally moved animals should be slaughtered on-site as soon as possible.
General Licences may be published to allow movement out of the Bluetongue Protection Zone for slaughter at a slaughterhouse, and these will be subject to conditions, including the timing of the journey and arrival at the slaughterhouse.
The same rules apply in terms of the slaughter of animals quickly if they arrive at a slaughterhouse in breach of licence conditions. However, any person moving animals under the terms of such licences is required to time their journey appropriately, notwithstanding traffic accidents/unforeseen delays etc.
A person moving animals under such a licence should not continue out of the PZ if they are delayed on their way to the PZ boundary - ie, if they are delayed within the PZ, such that they cannot make it to the slaughterhouse in time, they should turn back before leaving the PZ.
In any event, full details should be reported to the local Animal Health Office.
Further guidance is available via LACORS website,
MHS Involvement
MHS staff should note that no specific Bluetongue controls relate to the movement of meat, meat products, etc, and normal rules apply. However any non-compliance with movement rules and / or the condition s of approval at slaughterhouses should be reported to local authorities.
The situation will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis involving Industry stakeholders, and additional guidance will be provided as needed.
Home Emergency Plans
There are many things that individuals, families or shared households can do to prepare for an emergency.
Click here for information, advice and guidance.
Go Bags
Prepare a 'Go Bag', a collection of items needed in an emergency.
It will need to be easily found by all family members and should be checked every 6 months. A backpack or a small suitcase with wheels is suitable.
Consider including the following items:
- Copy of documents in a waterproof bag (ie, insurance, passports, birth certificates and copies of important family photographs).
- Torch and spare batteries.
- Battery, or wind-up, radio and spare batteries.
- Bottled water.
- First Aid Kit.
- Medication and other essential personal items (be sure to check medications before they expire) and also keep copies of prescription slips.
- Personal hygiene items, such as soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, towels and feminine hygiene products.
- Childcare supplies or other special care items.
- Emergency foil-type blankets.
- Extra set of house and car keys.
- Local A-Z Map.
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily from person to person, causing serious illness...
For more information, advice and guidance visit: http://www.dh.gov.uk/PandemicFlu/fs/en
Summary of the Staffordshire Flu Pandemic Plan.
At risk of flooding?
Take a look at the Environment Agency's flood map or do your own postcode search to find out how you might be affected.
For advice if there is a risk of flooding in your area click here.
If A Severe Storm Is Threatened
- Tie down loose items outside that cannot be brought in.
- Stay indoors, preferably downstairs and keep pets in.
- Clear windowsills and close curtains to protect against flying glass.
- If gas, electricity or water is cut off, tell the relevant service.
- As soon as it is safe, rope off or protect damaged areas to prevent injury from falling masonry, broken glass or electric cables.
Power Cuts - Loss of Electricity, Gas or Water
Severe weather can mean power cuts and possibly loss of other services over a wide area.
Keep a small emergency pack and know where to find it - even in the dark!
The pack should include a torch, radio (with batteries), candles and matches. Be aware of fire risks if you have to use the candles and matches.
You may need to switch off supplies at the main - if you do not know how to check with gas, electricity and water authorities now.
If you need the Police, Fire or Ambulance Services, dial 999 and give the operator your number so that you can be traced in the event that the line is cut.
Damage to Property & Possessions
Accidents, storms or flooding can leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Proper insurance cover for property and possessions can ease much of the distress.
- Insurance can cover the cost of building repairs and replacement of household contents as new - you can insure against a wide range of risks including "Acts of Gods".
- Housing Associations will repair the buildings they own, but tenants should check whether they need to insure their personal possessions themselves.
- Tenants should know who to contact for emergency repairs.
- People with leasehold or privately rented homes should check agreements for property repairs with the landlord or agent.
- If you need to arrange repairs, stick to established firms with good reputations.
- If you cannot find anyone suitable, ask a recognised trade association for advice.
- Decide now which firms you would use in an emergency and make a note of their number with details of your insurance on the contact sheet.
Chemical Accidents Involving Toxic Fumes & Smoke
If you live close to a chemical site, you will regularly receive information from industries in your area reminding you to:
Go In, Stay In and Tune In.
The following advice summarises and reinforces that information:
- If you hear a warning siren or radio announcement, go into a house or building straight away.
- Close all external doors, turn off all ventilation and central heating systems.
- Close all windows and curtains.
- Stay in a room away from the industrial area, preferably upstairs.
- Tune into your local radio station to receive information and instructions.
- Do not ring the Emergency Services, unless you have a medical emergency, as their phone lines need to be kept clear.
- General medical advice can be sought from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
- Stay indoors until you hear the clear message (either on the radio or via a long single blast of siren) or your receive instructions from the Emergency Services.
- On receiving the all clear, doors and windows can then be opened and ventilation restored.
Please co-operate with any instructions given by the Emergency Services.
Emergency Evacuation
If the Police ask you to leave your home, please do not argue.
Their responsibility is your safety and they would not ask you to leave if it was not vital.
They will probably ask you to go to a reception centre. If you decide to go anywhere else, for example to relatives, let someone know, so you can be accounted for.
Do not worry if you are sick, frail or disabled, special arrangements will be made for you.
If you have elderly or disabled neighbours, check that they are all right or inform the Emergency Services that they require assistance.
If there is time, take along any medicines, warm clothes, any special foods, personal documents, immediate valuables and baskets and leads for pets.
Before you leave, make sure fires are out, switch off gas and electricity and lock up.
Rail & Air Crashes
If you are first on the scene, raise the alarm, dial 999 and inform the Emergency Services.
Unless you are directly involved, keep well away from the scene.
Do not drive to the scene for sight-seeing.
TV and Radio
If there is an emergency, information will probably be given on local TV and radio stations. Listen out for news, information and instructions on what is happening and what to do. Remember staying indoors, with doors and windows closed and air conditioning turned off, will often be the safest place.
Staffordshire residents receive regional television broadcasts from the BBC in the Midlands and ITV Central, both of which run regular news bulletins throughout the day and have 30 minute news programmes in the early evenings.
Local radio stations include:
| BBC Radio Stoke |
94.6 fm |
1503 am |
| Signal One |
102.6 fm |
|
| Signal Two |
|
1170 am |
| Beacon Radio |
97.2 fm |
|
| BBC Radio Derby |
96.0 fm |
|
| BRMB |
96.4 fm |
|
| BBC Radio Shropshire |
96.0 fm |
|
| Cross Rhythms (North Staffordshire) |
101.8 fm |
|
For more information on advice to the public please visit the Preparing for Emergencies website.
Last Modified:
30/01/2008 16:43:04
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