Terms of Reference
Purpose: to co-ordinate activity to monitor and minimise the impact of HPAI on wild bird populations in Scotland, taking account of the statement by the CMS Task Force on Avian Influenza.[1]
Role:
- Efficient and focused network to allow two-way flow of information, provide an efficient exchange on relevant policy decisions across Scottish Government, ensure effective linkages across administrations and stakeholder organisations.
- Co-ordinate monitoring and surveillance of HPAI impacts on wild bird populations in Scotland, supported by an efficient testing mechanism/network.
- Provide a mechanism to learn from and share approaches with other countries tackling HPAI in wild birds.
- Provide advice to the public and stakeholders on biosecurity and managing interactions with affected and 'at risk' populations.
- Establish research and monitoring required to understand transmission pathways and long-term impacts on populations, including poultry and captive birds.
- Identify mitigation measures to reduce severity of future outbreaks and aid recovery of wild birds.
- Provide coordination for external engagement; specifically, the establishment and servicing of an associated HPAI stakeholder network to ensure efficient and focused two way flow of information and sharing of updated guidance and advice.
Expected Outputs
- Publication of authoritative advice on issues above
- Co-ordinated communications and agreed key messages
- An action plan, detailing roles, responsibilities and actions in response to future HPAI outbreaks.
- A recovery plan providing guidance on measures to promote wild bird recovery
Responsibilities of members:
To work collaboratively, share information, and seek to achieve common positions and approaches to collectively address Avian Flu in wild birds in Scotland.
Membership (organisation):
- NatureScot (Chair)
- NatureScot (Minutes)
- NatureScot
- SG Wildlife Management
- SG Animal Health (Disease Control)
- SG Animal Health (Animal Diseases)
- Marine Scotland (Policy)
- Marine Scotland (Science)
- APHA
- JNCC
- SoCOEHS
- SSPCA
- BTO
- RSPB
Flexibility will remain to set up sub-groups which may include other organisations. These may include groups considering testing and monitoring and all aspects of carcass removal.
A wider network of stakeholders will be established for wider communication and collaborative work.
The membership and ToR will be reviewed after in October.
Chair: NatureScot
NatureScot
27 July 2022