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Select Committee · Public Accounts Committee

Redevelopment of Defra’s animal health infrastructure

Status: Closed Opened: 9 Jun 2022 Closed: 24 Feb 2023 15 recommendations 21 conclusions 1 report

The UK faces a significant threat from animal diseases, such as Bovine Tuberculosis - which is the subject of controversy over the badger culling that has traditionally been used to control it - and ‘zoonotic’ diseases which can transmit from animals to humans – as is believed to have been the origin of the Covid …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Twenty-Fourth Report - Redevelopment of Defra’s animal heal… HC 42 16 Nov 2022 36 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
6 Recommendation Twenty-Fourth Report - Redevelopment of… Acknowledged

There is a risk that the Weybridge redevelopment programme will not have sufficient staff capability...

There is a risk that the Weybridge redevelopment programme will not have sufficient staff capability and capacity to manage the Programme effectively. The Weybridge site is nationally important in the UK’s defence against animal diseases. The Department confirmed that the Weybridge redevelopment programme is a high priority for staffing. However, …

Government response. The government agrees and is reviewing capacity and capability requirements for the programme, using all available levers to secure expert resources including specialist allowances and via its supply chain.
HM Treasury
1 Conclusion Twenty-Fourth Report - Redevelopment of… Acknowledged

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (the Department), the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Chief Veterinary Officer of the United Kingdom.1

Government response. The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation and will conduct an assessment with an update on how animal diseases are reflected, and will also describe the advice received from the SAGE sub-group.
HM Treasury
26 Conclusion Twenty-Fourth Report - Redevelopment of… Acknowledged

The Department said that its Programme Business Case clearly sets out the trade and economic...

The Department said that its Programme Business Case clearly sets out the trade and economic benefits of increasing the UK’s resilience to animal diseases. However, it highlighted that quantifying and putting values to these benefits is challenging as the relationship between investing in science facilities and the benefit this generates …

Government response. The department will continue work across the first tranche of the programme to refine its understanding of the costs and benefits, which will feed into the main investment decision for the redevelopment of the site, required in summer 2024.
HM Treasury
36 Conclusion Twenty-Fourth Report - Redevelopment of… Acknowledged

The Department told us that it is concerned about the health and capacity of the...

The Department told us that it is concerned about the health and capacity of the market and sees a lack of supplier appetite to bid for the main construction contracts as a significant risk.65 It said that it has done some market engagement work including issuing an information notice to …

Government response. The department will update the Committee in six months via Treasury Minute, by May 2023, the programme will have options around Science Hub form of contract and competition.
HM Treasury

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
13 Jul 2022 Colin Dingwall · Animal and Plant Health Agency, David Holdsworth · Animal and Plant Health Agency, Professor Christine Middlemiss · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Sarah Homer · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Tamara Finkelstein · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs View ↗