Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what resources her Department has allocated for research into new and emerging pests and diseases in each of the next five years; and if she will make a statement.

Defra holds an animal health research budget of around £15m in 2016/17 of which around £0.5m specifically relates to a new and emerging disease sub-programme. Defra holds a plant health research budget of around £4m in 2016/17 which is prioritised according to threats listed in the plant health risk register. The exact size of future research investment is not confirmed and will be dependent on the nature and extent of future risks.