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Consultation on two draft Statutory Instruments for the control of outbreaks of certain exotic animal diseases (the specified diseases)

Defra is inviting comments on the proposed introduction of new legislation on the control of the specified diseases. The specified diseases are a group of eight notifiable exotic animal diseases which are recognised as causing damage to the international livestock industry through direct losses of susceptible species of animal and damage to related industries and trade.

They are: epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer; goat pox; lumpy skin disease; peste des petits ruminants; Rift Valley fever; rinderpest; sheep pox; and vesicular stomatitis.

Legislation on the control of the specified diseases in England must be consistent with European Union Council Directive 92/119/EEC. The planned change will be to create domestic legislation that closely follows the requirements of the Council Directive.

This consultation invites views on how we plan to implement the EU requirements in England. Details of these proposals are set out in the draft regulations, which are available online at

The closing date for responses to this consultation is 11 March 2010.

The consultation package includes:

Page published: 17 December 2009