BIOSECURITY MUST BE REVIEWED AT ALL GOVERNMENT LABORATORIES - HUHNE

5.51.16pm GMT Wed 5th Sep 2007

Commenting on the leaked Health and Safety Executive report into the foot and mouth outbreak in Surrey, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defra Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"These findings are of great concern. The Government must conduct an urgent review of security measures at all of its laboratories.

"I have tabled a series of parliamentary questions pressing for answers on biosecurity at Pirbright.

"It now seems the disease did come from Pirbright. These reports suggest biosecurity arrangements there were certainly less than perfect, including how temporary contractors are organised.

"It is disturbing that this leak may have come from inadequate drainage or building work designed to modernise the facility. If we can't get simple things like this right, there's every chance something similar may happen again, either in Surrey or somewhere else in the country."