Agriculture Department Sets Out Arrangements for Reporting Notifiable Disease

The Agriculture Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network today set out the arrangements for reporting notifiable animal diseases and plant pests across the Network. From 6 September 2026 any keeper of livestock, grower or veterinary practitioner who suspects a notifiable disease or pest must report it to the Department without delay, isolate the animals or plants concerned and stop all movements on and off the holding until an officer has attended.

The Department's veterinary and plant health service comprises 38 veterinary officers and 22 plant health inspectors, drawn from the staff transferred by member organisations. An officer attends every report within 24 hours, takes samples where required and confirms in writing which restrictions apply. Restrictions are lifted in writing once the suspicion is ruled out or the case is resolved.

During the transition period from 10 August to 5 September 2026, 27 reports of suspected disease were received and investigated under interim arrangements. None was confirmed. The list of notifiable diseases and pests, the reporting procedure and answers to common questions are set out on the Plant and Animal Health page of this site.