Oak processionary posed a health threat. In April 2018, an outbreak of the caterpillars was reported across Greater London and surrounding areas. The moth is now fairly common in Belgium, notably in the Campine but also elsewhere, with fluctuating population numbers from year to year. In 2007 infestations in the Belgian province of Limburg were so acute that soldiers were deployed to burn them. In the Netherlands, the caterpillars are dealt with by biological pest control. Local authorities use, like in Germany, fluids containing bacteria that are toxic only to the caterpillars. These fluids are sprayed onto the infected trees. Furthermore, an
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service statutes: Animal Health Protection Act, "et seq." Governs the prevention, detection, control, and eradication of diseases and pests of animals, where "animal" is defined as "any member of the animal kingdom (except a human)." (1) (West 2009). Animal Welfare Act (Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966), "et seq." Originally intended to prevent the theft of pets for sale to research facilities, the AWA now broadly regulates minimum standards of care and treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. It exempts birds, rats, or mice bred for use in research, horses not used for research, cold blooded animals,