Select committee: Public Accounts Committee
Conclusion 4
52nd Report - Resilience to threats from animal disease
Published 5 Nov 2025
Addressed to HM Treasury
Public Accounts Committee Resilience to threats from animal disease All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
APHA has not made fast enough progress with modernising its systems and processes, to allow it to better deploy its resources. Many of APHA’s systems and processes are outdated and inefficient. For example, its vets in the field must complete paper-based forms, which are scanned and manually deciphered before being added to a database. This results in slower response and more risk of errors. Vital modernisation has been delayed by APHA’s focus on responding to recent outbreaks. The Department has confirmed funding of £62.8 million over the period to 2029–30 for APHA to undertake a modernisation programme. 3 However, APHA will still not be fully paperless by the end of this period. By comparison, APHA’s bee and plant inspectors are now using digital technology, with it reporting efficiencies of about 30% as a result. recommendation APHA should ensure that modernising its systems and processes for animal diseases is a key strategic objective. This needs to be supported by a clear delivery plan and milestones for when new services will be phased in and when the transformation will be completed.
From: Public Accounts Committee, 52nd Report - Resilience to threats from animal disease (HC 885), 5 November 2025
Government response
Latest Treasury Minutes progress report to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Fifty-second Report of Session 2024-26
The government responded to the whole report on 4 June 2026 (deadline 5 January 2026).
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Fifth-second report from Session 2024-26
Published 19 January 2026.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government states that it agrees with the Committee's recommendations it addresses, giving target implementation dates between February 2026 and Summer 2027.
- On preparedness, the department and APHA, working with the Welsh and Scottish Governments, "will review and update as required" disease control strategies for four higher-risk diseases by March 2027, and review all strategies on a rolling three year cycle.
- On vet vacancies, the department is establishing a government veterinary services working group to create a workforce strategy, and "will consult" on reform of the Veterinary Surgeon's Act.
- On APHA modernisation, milestones run from spring 2026 to autumn 2026, but progress "is dependent on future funding arrangements, and additional funding may be required".
- On illegal meat imports, the department is "actively considering increases to the funding" for Dover Port Health Authority, and says funding decisions will take account of preventing the costs of major disease outbreaks.