Government Insufficiently Prepared for Animal Disease Outbreaks

Strategic Insights -

A National Audit Office report has revealed that Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency are struggling to cope with animal disease outbreaks, despite working hard to manage these risks over the past six years. The report warns that the government lacks a long-term strategy and has outdated infrastructure, making it difficult to respond to severe outbreaks. Recent outbreaks of avian influenza and bluetongue disease have highlighted the need for improved preparedness. East Anglian poultry farms were severely affected by these outbreaks, and industry fears are growing over the potential return of foot and mouth disease and African swine fever.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Audit Office report highlights significant gaps in government contingency plans for animal disease outbreaks.
  • Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency have worked hard to manage animal diseases over the past six years, but are likely to struggle with more severe outbreaks.
  • Recent outbreaks of avian influenza and bluetongue disease have resulted in the culling of 7.2m birds and affected East Anglian poultry farms.
  • Climate change and anti-microbial resistance are increasing the frequency of animal disease outbreaks.
  • The report warns of outdated and inefficient operational processes within the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
  • The Biosecurity minister has committed to investing £200m in a new National Biosecurity Centre to improve preparedness.
  • Labour MP Ben Goldsborough has called for a statement from the Defra department on the government's response to the concerns raised by the NAO report.

Statistics:

  • 7.2m birds were culled due to outbreaks of avian influenza between November 2020 and mid-March 2025.
  • East Anglian poultry farms were severely affected by avian influenza and bluetongue disease outbreaks.
  • The government is investing £200m in a new National Biosecurity Centre.

Sources:

  • A report by the National Audit Office, cited in the article "MP demands wake-up call for government over animal disease outbreaks" (no specific date or publication date mentioned)
  • "MP demands wake-up call for government over animal disease outbreaks" (no specific date or publication date mentioned), sourced from a Norfolk MP's statement in the House of Commons
  • A statement by the Biosecurity minister, Baroness Hayman of Ullock, cited in the article "MP demands wake-up call for government over animal disease outbreaks" (no specific date or publication date mentioned)