Memorandum 40
Supplementary evidence from the Department
for Innovation, Universities and Skills following oral evidence
session on 21 April 2008
ANSWER TO FOLLOW-UP QUESTION TO THE EVIDENCE
SESSION WITH IAN PEARSON, MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
Were ACDP4 facilities able to handle large animals
originally part of the Pirbright redevelopment project and are
they still planned on the site? If they have been struck out of
the plans, could you confirm why?
1. The Pirbright redevelopment project has,
from the production of the original feasibility study and master
plan in October 2003, included an ACDP 4 laboratory and small
animal facility. The formal plans for the redevelopment have never
included the provision of an ACDP CL4 large animal facility. Subsequently
the then Director of IAH, Professor Paul-Pierre Pastoret raised
the question of whether there was a need for ACDP 4 large animal
facilities as part of the Pirbright redevelopment.
2. This led to a meeting on 13 December
2004 to discuss the question of the UK requirement for ACDP 4
large animal facilities in the context of the Pirbright redevelopment.
The main attendees were:
Government Chief Scientist—Prof Sir David King
DGRC—Prof Sir Keith O'Nions
BBSRC CE—Prof Julia Goodfellow
Defra CSA—Prof Howard Dalton
Defra CVO—Dr Debby Reynolds
MOD CSA—Prof Roy Anderson
and officials from BBSRC, Defra and OST (now DIUS).
3. The meeting concluded that there was
no research need for ACDP4 large animal facilities. It further
concluded any need would be for surveillance and contingency purposes,
areas that are not the responsibility of BBSRC. It was agreed
that Defra would work up scenarios as to national requirement
and how it can be met.
May 2008
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