§ Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that there is not a risk of infections spreading from his veterinary investigation laboratories; if he is satisfied with security there; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SilkinI am satisfied that the precautions taken by my Department's veterinary investigation centre laboratories and at the central veterinary laboratories when handling pathogenic material are of a high order and that there is minimal risk of infection spreading from them to humans or animals. Storage and disposal of infective material at all the laboratories is in accordance with the prescribed codes of practice. The security of the premises against intruders is satisfactory in relation to the risks involved.
None of the 24 centres holds high risk material such as category A pathogens, but the central veterinary laboratory at Weybridge holds one category A pathogen, rabies, for which it is the only veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Great Britain. Rabies diagnosis is carried out in a recently completed high security laboratory purpose built to the most up-to-date specification to prevent escape of infection. The CVL holds other pathogens such as those for brucellosis and tuberculosis—but not foot and mouth—which are dealt with in inner laboratories displaying bold warning signs and kept locked when empty, where they are handled under strictly controlled procedures.