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Research & Surveillance

Most of VLA's research is primarily focused on animal health and welfare, public health and food safety.

This area of work is delivered to our customers via science programmes and projects that span the wide ranging scientific disciplines in VLA.

In addition to our research, VLA also acts as a Reference Laboratory for a number of diseases.

Our Centre for Epidemiology & Risk Analysis provides epidemiology, risk analysis, statistics, mathematical modelling and data management across a number of the science programmes

Our research is fully integrated with our surveillance and diagnostic activities. Our network of Regional Laboratories provide specialist services to the veterinary practices, which include post-mortem examinations and farm investigations of unusual or new disease problems.

Defra conducts science audits of its laboratory agencies every five years. These ensures that the science carried out by the laboratories is of high and appropriate quality and is meeting Defra's requirements. The audit teams include independent experts from academia, government or industry who work in the areas of surveillance, scientific services and research, VLA was last audited in 2007 and the executive summary (pdf 9kb) outlines the audit teams assessment.

Changes to VLA's diagnostic surveillance service

VLA has introduced important changes to our diagnostic surveillance service. These came into effect on 1 October 2010.

The changes follow a review of this service which identified opportunities to make financial savings and improve our ability to diagnose and detect new diseases.

For further information see the changes to diagnostic surveillance service page.