§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he undertakes on(a) defence against viral warfare and (b) the foot and mouth virus. [152057]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 6 March 2001]: The remit of the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of DERA at Porton Down is to provide safe and effective protection for the UK and its armed forces should chemical and biological weapons be used against them. In order to achieve this, research involving a range of pathogenic viruses is undertaken.
This research is aimed at understanding the hazard posed by these agents, developing rapid methods for their detection and diagnosis of the diseases they cause, identifying suitable physical protection equipment, and developing medical countermeasures against them. These later measures include the development of safe and effective vaccines and therapies for use of the UK and its armed forces.
288WThere is currently no research being undertaken involving the virus which is the causative agent of foot and mouth disease.