BOROUGH OF POOLE
ENVIRONMENT OVERVIEW GROUP
7TH OCTOBER 2004
A FRAMEWORK FOR THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES IN ANIMAL HEALTH
AND WELFARE: AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN LOCAL AUTHORITIES
AND DEFRA
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
The Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak of 2001 demonstrated the
potential impact of non-compliance with legislation relating to disease
control. The outbreak is estimated to have cost the UK economy in
excess of £8 billion. Local authorities worked closely with DEFRA
during the outbreak and this demonstrated the importance of local and
central government partnership working in this area. Local authorities
have a statutory responsibility for the enforcement of animal health and
welfare legislation. The Chief Veterinary Officer is accountable for
these matters to Parliament.
2.
DECISION REQUIRED
2.1
That members consider the report and recommend that Cabinet agree
the recommendations contained in paragraph 6 .
3.
BACKGROUND/INFORMATION
3.1
Farming, agriculture and fisheries make up a proportionally small but
nonetheless significant part of the economy of Poole. The Borough is
home to 6 farms and has 2 other businesses directly associated with
the supply of fertilizer and feeding stuffs. The Council has the
responsibility of ensuring that farm animals passing through the port
have the required documentation to travel and are transported in a way
that does not compromise their welfare. We also licence 8 pet shops.
These businesses require advice, assistance or inspection on a regular
basis. Despite the relatively small size of the local regulatory workload
the impact of an outbreak originating in Poole would have potentially
massive impact upon the local, regional and indeed national
economies.
3.2
The outbreak of disease would not be confined to the agricultural
economy but impact on a wide swathe of activity including tourism.
Particular risks identified include movement restrictions, the
abandonment of sporting or cultural events, rabies and controls of ferry
traffic. The town’s port status and harbour activity put the council in the
front line particularly regarding the illegal imports and the threat of
rabies.
3.3
The framework agreement aims to:
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3.4
provide effective disease control
encourage a well educated and compliant farming
industry, capable of greater self regulation.
provide greater consistency in the approach to
enforcement
deliver sound welfare practices
enable better data management
improve communication between LA’s and DEFRA
raise the profile of animal health and welfare work
There are 3 key implications for local authorities that arise in the
agreement:
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Local Authorities must draw up a local enforcement plan
and delivery strategy in line with the framework
documents.
Activities are risk assessed using an agreed mechanism
A web based system for recording enforcement activities
is introduced so that information can be collated
nationally.
3.5
The scheme is voluntary. However both DEFRA and LACORS (Local
Authority Co-ordinating Organisation for Regulatory Services) are
supportive that all Local Authorities take part in order that a nationwide
picture can be maintained.
4.
IMPLICATIONS FOR POOLE
4.1
The introduction of risk assessed visits and a service delivery plan in
this relatively small but potentially significant part of our service will no
doubt improve our effectiveness in ensuring compliance and
consequently the safety of local business and residents.
4.2
The introduction of the AMES database does constitute a minor burden
as it will lead a small degree of duplication with existing recording
systems. However it will enable better information transfer between
Poole and other responsible agencies.
4.3
The introduction of the framework will bring animal health and welfare
work into line with other strands of the regulatory regime e.g. Food,
Trading Standards, Health and all of which have annual plans and
operate on a risk assessed approach. Participation in the agreement
will constitute a service pressure in the first year due to the
implementation of a risk- assessed approach. Following this we would
anticipate a light touch regime focusing resource on non-compliant
business. The council’s major risk would remain the outbreak of
disease. However the agreement should reduce the impact of such an
outbreak.
5.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
5.1
Internal management of resource should enable the framework to be
implemented without recourse to additional finance.
5.2
With or without the agreement there is potential for an outbreak of
disease to have significant resource implication for the authority.
6.
RECOMMENDATION
6.1
It is proposed that the council supports the implementation of the
framework agreement.
6.2
That officers work with DEFRA to implement the agreement in Poole.
Peter Pawlowski
Head of Environmental and Consumer Protection Services
Contact Officer:
Telephone No.:
Shaun Robson
01202 261736