The council takes the lead in acting as the local point of contact in wider responses to livestock problems such as bird flu outbreaks – with public warnings issued earlier this year and in the winter of 2025.
West Lothian Council staff are in the front line in a joint operation to guard against the potential spread of animal related disease as well as ensure animal welfare.
Environmental health officers work with Scottish and Westminster government veterinary officers on animal and avian health.
The council takes the lead in acting as the local point of contact in wider responses to livestock problems such as bird flu outbreaks – with public warnings issued earlier this year and in the winter of 2025.
At a recent meeting of the Governance and Risk Committee Linlithgow’s councillor Pauline Orr wondered why animal welfare related risks were detailed for the first time in a paper on high risks.
READ MORE: West Lothian nursery worker struck off for shouting and pulling child’s hair
She asked Craig Smith from Environmental health and Trading Standards: “Can you clarify that when there’s a disease outbreak, whether it’s bird flu or Foot and Mouth the council is one of the first contact points from the Scottish Government agricultural teams?”
Mr Smith told the meeting that such work had in the past detailed within generic corporate risks but the decision had been taken to specify newly identified risks facing the council when it comes to its role in animal welfare and disease control.
He added that large scale occurrences of disease outbreak were thankfully rare but confirmed that the council is the default agency at local level for addressing disease control and animal welfare issues.
He added: “There are a number of agencies involved on farms and we’ll work with these agencies as issues arise.
READ MORE: West Lothian bridge linking towns ‘only a matter of time’ as plans submitted
“In terms of why it is now become high risk there have been a number incidents in recent history which have highlighted some vulnerabilities for ourselves”
These vulnerabilities include the discovery of bird flu as well as the potential risks of statutory intervention to protect livestock where farms failed to comply with animal welfare obligations.
Such failures of farms could be down to the financial crisis, suggested the paperwork
This could lead to statutory intervention by council officers including seizure of livestock, interim care and transport) to ensure animal health and welfare, with significant unbudgeted costs. There are other issues including limited operational capacity to deliver the required duties of care, potential animal welfare harm, disruption to wider service delivery, and reputational damage to the council.
READ MORE: West Lothian whisky company announces extension to Livingston FC sponsorship
Environmental health offices also flagged up the lack of quarantine facilities nationally that would be needed to control disease outbreaks such as rabies.
Mr Smith moved to assure councillors that animals imported from abroad have gone through Border Patrol checks such issues were infrequent.
West Lothian escaped the brunt of the 2001 outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) which hit Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway the worst.
A spokesperson for West Lothian Council said: “Like all Scottish councils, our Environmental Health & Trading Standards team have a wide-remit covering animal welfare, including dog control laws and inspections and licensing of businesses where live animals are kept, including pet shops, boarding sites, dog breeders and riding establishments.
READ MORE: Easter to remember for kids thanks to generosity of West Lothian company
“Priority is given to cases related to public health and safety where resources are limited.
“In recent years, we have issued warnings around avian flu in West Lothian after birds were found locally recently in both February and March 2025 and February 2026.
“We also promote public safety messages related to animals, with recent examples including reminding residents to wash their hands after visiting animal petting sites in March 2005 and ensuring pet boarding services are licensed and registered in December 2025.”
READ MORE: Bathgate & Linlithgow MP delighted to see success of Easter football camp
Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login