Resilience to threats from animal disease

The National Risk Register outlines the most serious risks facing the UK. In 2023, four animal diseases were included, outlining the likelihood and impact of these diseases on the UK. With factors such as climate change and the rise in anti-microbial resistance likely increasing animal disease risks, the threats these diseases pose to the economy … Show more

The National Risk Register outlines the most serious risks facing the UK. In 2023, four animal diseases were included, outlining the likelihood and impact of these diseases on the UK. With factors such as climate change and the rise in anti-microbial resistance likely increasing animal disease risks, the threats these diseases pose to the economy and trade, the food chain and England’s farming sector may grow. In 2022 , the Public Accounts Committee warned that the Government was not sufficiently prioritising the “significant threat to UK health, trade, farming and rural communities” posed by animal diseases. The Committee was also concerned that the main animal disease facility, located in Weybridge, had been left to deteriorate to an alarming extent, due to a combination of historic poor management and under-investment. The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for ensuring the UK’s resilience to animal diseases. The Animal and Plant Health Agency has the lead operational role. A recent investigation by the National Audit Office (NAO) examined whether Defra, working with key public and private bodies, was taking effective action to ensure this resilience. The NAO’s investigation will be used to inform the Committee’s work in this area, as they question senior officials from Defra and representatives from other relevant bodies on topics including: Defra’s ability to establish and manage the structures, systems and governance processes needed to ensure England’s resilience to animal diseases; Questioning if enough is being done to understand and protect against the threat of animal diseases in England and; Asking if England is prepared to respond to animal disease outbreaks and if it could effectively recover. This inquiry scrutinises policy as related to England, as responsibility for policy in this area in other UK nations is devolved. If you have evidence on these issues please submit it here by 23:59 on Monday 7 July 2025. Please look at the requirements for written evidence submissions and note that the Committee cannot accept material as evidence that is published elsewhere. Please note that the Committee’s inquiry cannot assist with individual cases. If you need help with an individual problem you are having, you may wish to read the information on Parliament’s website about who you can contact with different issues . Show less