Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Registered files on Foot and...

The Foot and Mouth disease outbreak of 2001 was a crisis for agriculture in the UK which ended in the slaughter of over 6 million animals. In February 2001 the first case of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak was recorded in the UK; the last case was recorded in September 2001. The subsequent inquiry into the handling of Foot and Mouth disease led to the creation of Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) due to the perceived failings of MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). These records reflect the handling and aftermath of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak of 2001 by MAFF and subsequently Defra. The records include the creation and implementation of legislation, policy decisions and case files of prominent areas of the outbreak. Defra played a critical role in the managing and controlling of the Foot and Mouth Disease through disease surveillance, implementing control measures and providing guidance to livestock keepers (and associated livestock businesses) as well as protecting the agricultural economy.

This series is arranged in former reference order.

The record creators of these file series were responsible for the MAFF and subsequently the Defra response to the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. They were also responsible for all other exotic disease outbreaks and monitoring, including the creation and implementation of legislation relating to exotic diseases. The Animal Movements and Exotic Disease Division was established in 2001 to coordinate the response to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak when Defra was established. They are responsible for monitoring exotic disease outbreaks, creating and implementing subsequent legislation, and implementing and/or relaxing movement controls to control any outbreaks.