Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
Unacceptable breakdown of trust between Defra and DPHA harmed national biosecurity.
Conclusion
Under the previous Government, there was an unacceptable breakdown of trust, communication and cooperation in the relationship between Defra and Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) to the detriment of national biosecurity. (Conclusion, Paragraph 60)
Government response summary AI-generated
The Government accepts the recommendation and is committed to restoring the relationship with DPHA. Defra Directors met with DPHA officials in July 2025 and have continued to engage since. Defra is in the process of transferring the agreed £3.1m to DPHA to fund operations alongside Border Force for the financial year 2025/26.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
The Government accepts this recommendation and is committed to restoring the relationship with DPHA. Defra Directors met with DPHA officials at the Port of Dover in July 2025 and have continued to engage since. The Biosecurity Minister plans to visit later in 2025. Frequent official level meetings between Defra and DPHA take place, including discussions regarding the recommendations in this report. Defra is in the process of transferring the agreed £3.1m to DPHA to fund operations alongside Border Force for the financial year 2025/26.
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