In 2007 there was a significant foot and mouth outbreak at the DEFRA laboratory at Pirbright (near Guildford in Surrey).  The Health and Safety Executive in its “Final report on potential breaches of biosecurity at the Pirbright site 2007” identified failings with the management systems in place and a need to change the regulatory framework for use of animal pathogens.

Sir Bill Callaghan was appointed by the Government in 2007 to chair the review group (Group now known as the "Callaghan Review") tasked with responding to the recommendations.

Clive Parkinson Director of Health and Safety at University of Surrey represents USHA and has participated in an interview and various open meetings to put forward the comments collated from the ISTR sponsored Biological Safety Meeting in November and comments from regional biological meetings held in the South and North. 

The review group has been collecting the views of a wide range of stakeholders involved with working with animal pathogens and biological material.

All comments have been collated and the HSE are considering their response.  In general, a move to a Single Regulatory Framework has been welcomed by the sector and it is seen as an opportunity to further rationalise the regulatory process for those undertaking work with biological hazards.

Clive will attend a meeting on the 15th May at HSE (in Bootle) to hear the HSE response to comments and discuss the impact of any changes.