Policy paper

Foot and mouth disease: disease control (slaughter) protocol

The powers, criteria and procedures the Secretary of State has to follow in considering pre-emptive (firebreak) culling in managing an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD).

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 30 July 2025

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Disease control (slaughter) protocol

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The Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended) requires the Secretary of State to have a disease control (slaughter) protocol for the use of the specific slaughter power in the Act, a pre-emptive or ‘firebreak’ cull.

This protocol sets out the powers, criteria and procedures the Secretary of State has to follow in considering pre-emptive (firebreak) culling in managing an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD).

Published 30 July 2025