Data Protection Statement

Data Protection Act 1998

Defra is the data controller of any personal information supplied to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA). VLA, an Executive Agency of Defra, may use this information and test results for anonymous disease surveillance. This includes looking for new or emerging diseases in the UK and monitoring changes in disease patterns.

While strictly maintaining client confidentiality, Defra (including the VLA) and others will use the data to produce reports and publications. In the interest of public health, it may be necessary to share data (including contact details) with the Food Standards Agency, Health Protection Agency, local authorities and other agencies/organisations. They may use this information to contact you in relation to protecting public health.

For animals in the UK at the time of sampling, VLA will report positive results for notifiable diseases, along with all relevant data, to Animal Health, an Executive Agency of Defra and, where appropriate, to devolved administrations. This is in line with our legal obligations under the Animal Health Act 1981. Animal Health will use this information in their efforts to control the disease.

Defra/VLA may need to release information, including personal and commercial information, on request, under the Environmental Information Regulations, or the Freedom of Information Act 2000. However, Defra/VLA will not allow any unwarranted breach of confidentiality nor will we contravene our obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998. VLA may use the name, address and other details provided to contact you about occasional customer research aimed at improving our services.

For more information about how data is handled see the Data Handling Guarantee.