Public Accounts Committee Report Raises Concerns Over Local APHA Site

Public Accounts Committee Report into Defra's animal health infrastructure

The report from the Public Accounts Committee published today raises real concerns regarding the management of the APHA site in Runnymede and Weybridge. The site is the UK's primary science capability for managing threats from animal diseases. This is vital in understanding and managing threats we face from existing diseases such as Bovine TB and Avian flu, to new and emerging diseases.

Work is already ongoing to upgrade the laboratories, with the Government having announced in 2020 a £1.4 billion investment to redevelop the site. However reports of delays and resulting risks are concerning. I have requested an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State regarding this, and a meeting with the Senior officials at the APHA site.

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