Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the National Audit Office's report on Improving the UK's science capability for managing animal diseases, what steps the Government plans to take to (a) support and (b) improve animal disease monitoring and prevention through development and upgrade of the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s Weybridge site.
Answer
The Government is committed to the strongest possible standards of protection against animal diseases. It is investing £1.4 billion (including £200 million in this Spending Review period) to secure the long-term future of the Weybridge facility. This substantial investment recognises the essential role of this laboratory, and will enable its excellent scientists to continue to protect the country, boosting our resilience and strengthening our understanding of health risks to, and from, animals and plants.