asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether adequate security is provided by the situation at the Merial animal health laboratory where there is only one valve that separates the live virus product line from the line providing an outlet from the steam cleaning process; and whether they will insist that water from this outlet should also pass through a facility for heat treating waste. [HL457]

As part of the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO) licence, we require Merial to apply rigorous standard operating procedures. The licence requires several layers of biosecurity to be in place to ensure the process is contained.

The valve separates the live virus product line from the line which provides an outlet for the condensate from the steam cleaning stages which, as a precaution, also enters the contained drainage system leading to the final chemical treatment facility.

The SAPO licence remains suspended and the inspection team will produce a full report to the acting Chief Veterinary Officer. We will then consider what further action needs to be taken.