Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 46
46
Accepted
VMD's animal health surveillance relies too heavily on private testing and limited species data.
Recommendation
For the clinical surveillance of animal health, VMD is very reliant on private testing of animals. Some infections of some species are reportable by law but VMD’s access to other data can be difficult.116 VMD told us that its routine surveillance of animals covered only pigs and poultry, which was a risk-based decision that had been taken across Europe at the time. VMD said that it needs as much data as it can get across all species. It aims to increase surveillance across many species, including companion animals, equines and ruminants. Having more data would help it to understand the prevalence of AMR and achieve increased targets for reducing the use of antibiotics in the future.117 116 C&AG’s Report, para 3.22 117 Q 54 23
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to strengthen data collection and sharing across One Health sectors, including launching new data dashboards, and initiating novel AMR surveillance pilots in healthy animals like dogs, cats, and equines until 2029, alongside ongoing work with private veterinary labs.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
9.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation Target implementation date: Autumn 2026 9.2 The government is working to strengthen data collection and sharing across One Health sectors. 9.3 UKHSA launched a new data dashboard in February 2025, including data on healthcare associated infections and AMR prevalence. Further AMR indicators for urinary tract infections will be uploaded by Autumn 2025. 9.4 UKHSA has disaggregated ESPAUR report data on antimicrobial use and resistance by factors associated with health inequalities: age, index of multiple deprivation, geography (antimicrobial use and resistance data) and ethnicity (AMR data), to better understand AMR as a health inequalities issue. 9.5 NHSE is working with UKHSA to develop a joint data strategy to support a coordinated approach to data collection and reporting, including exploring a new national infection management audit to help systems identify key aspects of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infection. 9.6 While current budgets preclude comprehensive surveillance in healthy animals across all major animal species, Defra’s current prioritisation of monitoring pigs and poultry is appropriate, as pork and poultry are the most consumed meats in the UK. However, research and surveillance pilots in other species are underway. 9.7 The VMD’s work with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and academic partners on engagement with private veterinary laboratories to address gaps in clinical surveillance data on AMR is funded to the end of 2025–26. In parallel, VMD is developing novel AMR surveillance pilots in healthy animals, including new national projects targeting dogs, cats, and equines, stretching until 2029. Data from earlier AMR pilot studies continue to be analysed and shared across government to support One Health working. 9.8 The fourth UKHSA and VMD Joint UK One Health Report on AMR and antimicrobial use is also scheduled for publication in 2026.