Animals/birds potentially eligible to be spared from a culling policy

A principle of exotic disease control legislation is that certain categories of animals/birds (see below) may be considered for sparing from culling, provided that disease control is not compromised. However, such exemptions for both animals/birds are not guaranteed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis following a veterinary risk assessment of the premises and consideration of wider issues and impacts.

Categories of potentially exempt animals

Such categories of animals include animals kept:

• In a zoo or a wildlife park
• For scientific research or breeding for such research, or
• In a premises approved for the purposes of intra-Community trade in semen, ova or embryos
• For display or educational purposes
• For purposes related to conservation of species or genetic resource

Categories of potentially exempt poultry and other captive birds

Such categories of birds include birds kept:

• In a non-commercial holding
• In a circus
• In a pet bird shop
• In a zoo or a wildlife park
• For scientific research or breeding for such research
• For purposes related to conservation of species or genetic resource

Conservation of genetic resource during an exotic disease outbreak

• A list of UK farm animal/ poultry breeds considered to be at particular risk in the event of an outbreak of exotic disease is available (PDF)
• The criteria for a breed to be included on the list is available  (PDF)

This list of breeds at risk has been determined from the expert advice of the UK Farm Animal Genetic Resources Committee. Further information on some of the definitions used in the criteria and frequently asked questions is on the UK Farm Animal Genetic Resources Committee website.

This is not a closed list, and if evidence can be provided to support the criteria, the UK Farm Animal Genetic Resources Committee will consider further submissions to include additional breeds on the list. Equally, a breed can be removed from the list if it no longer fulfils all criteria.

Animal Breeds at Risk Register (for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs)

Keepers can register that they have breeds at risk animals (for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs in GB) on their premises in advance of a disease outbreak by sending a completed Breeds at Risk Registration Form to breedsatrisk@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk.

• Breeds at Risk Registration Form (Word, 100KB)

This registration does not guarantee that breeds at risk animals on the premises will be spared but it will help give advance information to Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) officials that can be used during an outbreak. During an exotic disease outbreak, keepers with premises within control zones or on suspect/infected or contact premises will also have the opportunity to inform the AHVLA if they have breeds at risk when AHVLA officials visit their premises.