Virus labs will now get HSE checks

May 1 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

THE HEALTH and Safety Executive (HSE) has taken over the role of regulating laboratories which handle animal viruses in the wake of last summer’s foot-and-mouth outbreak, environment secretary Hilary Benn said yesterday.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was stripped of its responsibility for carrying out inspections as a result of the change, which was recommended in a review carried out following the escape of the virus from a laboratory in Pirbright, Surrey. Former HSE chairman Sir Bill Callaghan’s review found that Defra’s role as both the regulator and a major customer of the research carried out at Pirbright represented a conflict of interest.

Under a new Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO) which came into effect yesterday, the HSE will now carry out all inspections and enforcement activity.

In a written statement to MPs, Mr Benn said: “This measure provides the legal means to effect the transfer of inspection and enforcement responsibility to HSE. It also provides additional powers very similar to the powers HSE inspectors have under the Health and Safety at Work Act, including the ability to issue formal improvement and prohibition notices.”

He said the move “represents a significant change in the way in which the work is carried out”.

The news was welcomed by the National Farmers Union. A spokesman said: “The maintenance of the system at Pirbright was inadequate and what happened was incredible and quite indefensible.”

The spokesman added: “The regulatory framework for animal pathogens has now been simplified with the Health and Safety Executive carrying out all inspections and enforcement activity.”