Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Set out a clear plan and milestones for APHA's updated risk-based surveillance processes
Recommendation
APHA’s surveillance activities to detect disease outbreaks early are not sufficiently comprehensive or risk-based. Surveillance work, or ‘eyes and ears on the ground’, is vital to help detect new and re-emerging disease threats quickly and stop their spread. But APHA’s focus on responding to current outbreaks has resulted in a reduction in some of its surveillance activities. The Department is also concerned about the capacity of local authority trading standards officers to undertake routine surveillance work. APHA is starting the process of making its surveillance work more risk- based, efficient and supported by appropriate management information, but this will take several years. Following EU exit, the UK lost access to the EU’s animal diseases intelligence system which provided almost real-time intelligence on animal diseases within the EU. This has resulted in the UK getting information more slowly and in less detail. recommendation To ensure its surveillance activities provide the maximum benefits from the resources available, APHA should set out in the next six months a clear plan and milestones for delivering the updates to its surveillance processes that are needed to ensure they are risk-based, efficient and supported by good management information.
Government Response Summary
APHA is implementing initiatives including an Animal By-Product Risk Matrix Review and a Private Veterinary Laboratory Project (due March 2026) to enhance surveillance. It will set out a clear plan and milestones within six months and, by February 2027, will review all surveillance activities for a targeted, risk-based approach.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation definition - the systematic ongoing collection, collation, and analysis of information related to animal health and the timely dissemination of information so that action can be taken. Current initiatives to deliver risk-based and efficient surveillance activities supported by good management information include: • An Animal By-Product (ABP) Risk Matrix Review to ensure premises visit frequency aligns with risk levels. ABP inspections follow a risk-based approach informed by this matrix. A complementary dashboard is being developed to track completed and outstanding visits and monitor non-compliance. • A Private Veterinary Laboratory Project that adds to and strengthens APHA data and intelligence about animal disease threats through data-sharing agreements with the private sector, with completion due by 31 March 2026. • Development of ‘The Data Orchestration Tool’, aligned with the Delivering Sustainable Futures Programme (APHA’s digital transformation programme) to integrate and harmonise surveillance data, reducing manual intervention and improving efficiency. The APHA surveillance strategy combines daily global scanning of emerging animal diseases by the International Disease Monitoring Team, epidemiological support from the National Emergency Epidemiology Group, monthly UK-wide risk analysis by the Veterinary Risk Group, and participation in the Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group to evaluate zoonotic threats; Together these efforts provide early detection, evidence‑based policy advice, and coordinated risk management, while continuous improvement of scanning systems and strengthening of the national veterinary network enhance frontline support, biosecurity, and resilience against evolving global risks. APHA will have a clear plan and milestones set out within the next six months to track delivery of audit recommendations. By February 2027, APHA will review all surveillance activities to ensure that there is a targeted, risk-based approach. Monitoring and tracking of this will be incorporated into APHA’s audit response plans.