The Specified Animal Pathogens Order

 

cows in a field

Animal pathogens, for example bacteria, viruses and parasites, are infectious agents. Control and containment requirements of animal pathogens are in place to prevent the escape or release of harmful animal pathogens into the wider environment, where they could have the potential to inflict human or animal disease. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Specified Animal Pathogens Order 2008 (SAPO)

 

The primary legislation applying to the contained use of specified animal pathogens is the Specified Animal Pathogens Order 2008. This sets out to provide guidance on the controls of animal pathogens licensed by Defra (the Department for Environment & Rural Affairs), detailing particular organisms which are classified for the purpose of protecting animal health from escapes of these organisms from laboratories. 

The aim of SAPO is to prevent the introduction and/or spread of animal pathogens into Great Britain, which would cause serious disease and economic loss to the livestock industry. 

Under this guidance, Defra classifies specified animal pathogens into the following groups: 

 

  • Group 1 - Disease-producing organisms which are enzootic (native in animal in this
    country) and do not produce notifiable disease.
  • Group 2 - Disease producing organisms which are either exotic or produce
    notifiable disease, but have a low risk of spread from the laboratory.
  • Group 3 - Disease producing organisms which are either exotic or produce
    notifiable disease and have a moderate risk of spread from the laboratory.
  • Group 4 - Disease producing organisms which are either exotic or produce
    notifiable disease and have a high risk of spread from the laboratory.
  • Foot and Mouth Disease - Minimum Standards for working with Foot-and-Mouth
    Disease virus (Group 4)
  • Rabies - Special accommodation for Rabies and Rabies related viruses.
  • Arthropods – Accommodation for vectors or parasites. 

 

Obtaining a SAPO licence 

 

Those wishing to work with or own a specified animal pathogen (or carrier in which one may be present) in England, Scotland or Wales should refer to Guidance for licence holders on the containment and control of specified animal pathogens and complete an application form for a SAPO licence.

 

For further information on SAPO and to read the full guidelines please click here.