Biological Security Strategy: call for evidence
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
61 responses were submitted representing 118 individuals and organisations. 77% of the 118 identified themselves as having good insight or expert knowledge of their particular field of biological security. A wide range of sectors were covered in the responses, and respondents were mainly located in the UK.
Original call for evidence
Call for evidence description
The UK’s Biological Security Strategy, published in July 2018, brought together for the first time the work that takes place across government to protect the UK and our interests from significant biological risks, no matter how these occur and no matter who or what they affect.
The 2018 strategy identifies several significant biological security risks relating to human health, animal and plant health, the environment, accidental release, and deliberate attack, including:
- a major health crisis (such as pandemic influenza or new infectious disease)
- antimicrobial resistance
- a deliberate biological attack by state or non-state actors (including terrorists)
- animal and plant diseases, which themselves can pose risks to human health
- accidental release and dual-use research of concern
Published in March 2021 the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy (the Integrated Review) set out the vision for the UK’s role in the world over the next decade. The Review set out the need to review and reinforce the cross-government approach to biological security, including a refresh of the 2018 strategy. As part of the work to refresh the strategy in 2022, the government will reevaluate the risk landscape and consider the evolving priorities since COVID-19 and in light of rapid advances in science and technology.
This call for evidence has been launched to inform a refresh of the Biological Security Strategy by providing a platform for external input and challenge on the strategy and its delivery. The UK government is consulting with a wide range of stakeholders across and beyond government to inform its development. Input from technical experts on this call for evidence is encouraged, including those with a background in biological engineering, biological security, contingency planning, and other related technical fields.
Documents
Updates to this page
Published 16 February 2022Last updated 15 June 2022 + show all updates
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We have published a summary of the public response. 61 responses were submitted representing 118 individuals and organisations.
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We have extended the response deadline to midday on 1 April 2022.
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First published.