Asian hornet: pest-specific contingency plan

Command and control

12. The response to Asian hornet incursion will be controlled using a Strategic, Planning and Operational Command structure:

• Strategic Command: Asian Hornet Strategic Oversight Group (Oversight Group), led by the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO). The Oversight Group is responsible for overall policy of command and control;
• Planning Command: In the event of a credible Asian hornet sighting, an Asian Hornet Incident Management Team (Incident Management Team) will be convened and will be responsible for planning and co-ordination of actions determined at a strategic level by the Oversight Group.
• Operational Command: An Asian Hornet Operational Response Team (Operational Response Team) will be established and led by the Honey Bee Health Delivery Lead (Operational Response Team Lead). The Operational Response Team is responsible for developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), implementing inspections in the field and overseeing the destruction of any insect and nest material.

13. Flexibility and proportionality in the execution of the response is important. For a small incursion it may not be necessary to establish all the structures required for a major outbreak. Most of the activities and functions described in the response structures will still need to be delivered, but there may be variations in the way this is achieved.