Review of the Food-borne Zoonoses Research ... - ARCHIVE: Defra

Review of the Food-borne Zoonoses (FBZ) Research
Programme 2003 – 2007.
(26 th to 27 th November 2007).
1. Introduction
Defra is a major funder of research, spending in the order of £150 million per year. The
research commissioned supports Defra in meeting its overarching aim and strategic
priorities (see section 2). Approximately £40 million of the annual budget is spent on
animal health and welfare research, which also serves to support the goals of the Animal
Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain (see section 3). In general, the results
generated from research are used to ensure existing Defra policies are based on sound
evidence, to identify the need to develop new policy, and to support Defra‘s regulatory
roles.
As part of an ongoing process of evaluation, Defra research programmes are subject to a
formal review process every three to five years.
The remit of the Food-borne Zoonoses (FBZ) research programme covers a number of
specific diseases. With this in mind, the review process not only considers the merits of
individual research projects, but also considers the balance of the programme against its
objectives by examining whether there has been an appropriate prioritisation of resource
to meet most effectively the objectives of disease prevention and control. In addition,
given the continuing threat foodborne diseases pose to the UK, the review will address
how the research programme could best meet future evidence needs of the Department
and if there is sufficient resource allocated to do so.
In consideration of resource management it is important to recognise opportunities for
working in partnership, an underpinning element of the Animal Health and Welfare
Strategy, and identifying areas where cost and responsibility sharing with stakeholders
are appropriate.
In broadening the scope and mechanisms by which the R&D programme may be
managed, it is also necessary to identify research and evidence that may be needed on
top of the current portfolio. Studies, for example, that better inform the Department and
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