UK vulnerable to major animal disease outbreaks, report finds

The country is at risk of a repeat of the 2001 foot-and-mouth crisis because the UK's main animal disease facility has deteriorated to an "alarming extent".

The APHA in Weybridge was vulnerable to a major breakdown because the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had failed to properly manage the site.

In the event of a major outbreak of animal disease, the national facility would lose its ability to take charge of the UK's response. According to the report, the centre is already struggling with anything more demanding than the current outbreak of bird flu.

After the 2001 disaster of foot-and-mouth disease, the past decades have brought one animal-sourced disease after another. The UK's capacity has deteriorated so alarmingly that it is shocking.

The MPs say that years of inadequate management and under investment have led to the creation of a £2.8 billion programme. With the programme not due for completion until 2036, officials are looking to manage the risk of a major incident that could cripple the facility.

A loss of power at some of the site's high-containment buildings was the last major incident at the site. The report found that this could have led to an escape of a pathogen.

While the center has drawn up contingency plans, a major incident at the site could severely hamper its ability to perform crucial surveillance testing needed during a disease outbreak, for example, to track the spread of a disease from farm to farm

"These diseases are devastating for our food production systems, the economy and, when they jump the species barrier to humans as Covid-19 did, to our whole society." The government needs to get control of this important programme. We can't afford more waste and delivery failures when it comes to the safety of our country.

A major outbreak of animal disease would have a negative impact on the government, according to the MPs. The economic cost of an outbreak of animal disease in the UK is thought to be between £100 million and $1 billion. The MPs note that the 2001 foot-and-mouth crisis would have cost over $12 billion. The risk register needs to be updated to reflect the seriousness of the threat, according to the report.

The committee was right to highlight the long-term problems and urgent need for support at the site according to Paul Wigley. There is always a chance of an outbreak. The collapse of major farming sectors in the UK could be caused by another outbreak of foot-and-mouth.

Prof James Wood is the head of veterinary medicine at the University of Cambridge and a member of the APHA. He said that the laboratories at Weybridge were central to the UK's ability to control an incursion of animal diseases and to detect any new emerging animal pathogen that might develop into a Pandemic Infection.

We can no longer depend on European laboratories to provide us with resources. The central role of laboratories in the diagnosis and control of the bird flu outbreak is clear.