The Institute for Animal Health is a world reference library for contagious diseases but, as Prospect has previously warned, the UK will not maintain its world-class science base without timely investment in staff and facilities.

As the Science and Technology Select Committee noted in March, tensions between DEFRA and BBSRC pose dangers not just for the institutes that depend on DEFRA funding but for future national scientific capacity.

Only five years ago, while decisions were still awaited following the 2002 Follett review and BBSRC’s own review of the Institute for Animal Health, a withdrawal of DEFRA funding precipitated a major restructuring exercise at IAH and the loss of around one quarter of staff.

Nigel Titchen, President of Prospect’s science, engineering and technology group, said: "All of this reinforces the need for a strategic overview of the science base to ensure that decisions are followed through in a timely manner and scientific capability is not lost through default. At present Prospect members are to be congratulated for continuing to deliver world-class science from ageing facilities with equipment that is far from "state-of-the-art".

"As the union representing IAH Pirbright staff we trust we will have the opportunity to contribute to the Spratt review of biosecurity arrangements."