RESPONSIBILITY FOR REGULATING LABORATORIES TOO VAGUE - HUHNE

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 6th Aug 2007

The lines of responsibility within Government appear to be worryingly complex and vague.

Commenting on the licensing of the laboratories linked to the Foot and Mouth outbreak, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defra Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"Although it is clear that Defra inspects, regulates and licenses both Merial and the Institute of Animal Health, the lines of responsibility within Government appear to be worryingly complex and vague. It is hard to know where the buck stops.

"A whole series of official bodies appear to be involved: the Home Office, Defra and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, who commissioned the critical 2002 report."