US EditionUK ‘not ready’ for major animal disease outbreak: National Audit Office
- The National Audit Office reported on June 5, 2025, that the UK Government is not prepared for a major animal disease outbreak despite growing risks from diseases like bird flu and African swine fever.
- This unpreparedness follows increasing outbreaks, such as 7.2 million birds culled since 2020 and a 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak costing £13.8 billion, with the Government lacking a long-term strategy to reduce risks.
- The NAO highlighted that only 5% of live animal imports are physically checked instead of the 100% target, and public bodies show gaps in contingency planning, with veterinary staff shortages and delayed lab facility upgrades.
- The National Audit Office has highlighted that Defra views the likelihood of an uncontrollable outbreak as exceeding acceptable limits, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive long-term plan to safeguard food supply, public health, and rural economies.
- Consequently, the Government faces an escalating threat to economic resilience, public health, and farming, prompting investments like £200 million towards a new National Biosecurity Centre but requiring urgent capacity and strategy improvements.
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12 Articles
Veterinarians will also lift the remaining emergency measures introduced due to foot-and-mouth disease from Friday; for example, farmers will no longer have to keep records of vehicle and person entry into the farm. The State Veterinary Administration (SVS) announced this in a press release on Thursday. Veterinarians have decided to lift the measures due to the favorable development of the disease situation, but they still recommend farmers to c…
Warning UK 'not prepared' for next major disease outbreak like foot and mouth - The Mirror
The UK is not ready for another outbreak of a major animal disease like foot and mouth or bird flu, experts have warned, as it emerged just 5% of live animal imports are undergoing physical checks
Evening Standard
perspectivemedia.comGovernment would struggle to cope with severe animal disease outbreak – watchdog
Outbreaks such as foot and mouth or bird flu can have major impacts on farming, economic growth, public health and wildlife, the NAO says.
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