Animal Pathogens - Basis for Defra classification of animal pathogens
Defra classifies animal pathogens for the purposes of administering the Importation of Animal Pathogens Order 1980 and the Specified Animal Pathogens Order 1998.
The classification is made for the purpose of protecting animal health from escapes of organisms from laboratories, and not for the protection of workers in those laboratories. Classification of organisms for the purposes of protecting employees under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) are given by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) in the Approved List of Biological Agents. The Defra and ACDP classifications are not complementary documents and should not be read as such.
Because the Defra and ACDP classifications are not complementary documents, compliance with one does not absolve employers and their staff from their responsibilities under the other.
The Defra classification is made on the following basis:
- Group 1 - Disease-producing organisms which are enzootic and do not produce notifiable disease.
- Group 2 - Disease producing organisms which are either exotic or produce notifiable disease, but have a low risk of spread from the laboratory.
- Group 3 - Disease producing organisms which are either exotic or produce notifiable disease and have a moderate risk of spread from the laboratory.
- Group 4 - Disease producing organisms which are either exotic or produce notifiable disease and have a high risk of spread from the laboratory.
- Rabies - Special accommodation for Rabies and Rabies
related viruses.
Page last modified:
January 26, 2006