Asked by: Baroness Blood (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the Brexit referendum result, what assessment they have made of the case for training overseas port health officers to UK standards, especially those in developing countries; and what part the Association of Port Health Authorities will play in delivering such training.
Answered by Lord Bates
The International Health Regulations (IHRs) (2005), agreed by all WHO member states, include the standards required for port health authorities internationally. WHO has oversight of IHR assessment and capacity building, including through the external evaluation approach introduced in 2016. The UK Government, through the WHO, assists countries to carry out assessments and implement the IHRs. As part of this, the UK deploys (a) subject matter experts to support WHO monitoring of IHR capacity in 20 low and middle-income countries, including in points of entry such as ports, and (b) implements programmes to strengthen IHR capabilities in five countries in Africa and Asia, plus the UK Overseas Territories. We will always consider the most appropriate subject matter experts to support our global health security interventions.
Asked by: Baroness Blood (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact that the UK withdrawing from the EU will have on Port Health Authorities.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The Government is considering the impacts of the decision to leave the European Union, including the impact on Port Health Authorities (PHAs). The Government recognises the significant contribution PHAs make to public and animal health protection and the United Kingdom is committed to ensuring any potential impacts to PHAs are well managed.
Asked by: Baroness Blood (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the most recent meetings they have had with the Association of Port Health Authorities.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) can confirm since June 2016, FSA officials have met for discussions with Port Health Authority officials from the following ports:
- Belfast
- Felixstowe
- Southampton
- Gatwick
- Doncaster
- Heathrow
An official from the FSA will provide a presentation on imports and exports policy at the Association of Port Health Authorities (APHA) annual general meeting on Wednesday 30th November 2016. At the meeting, APHA members will be encouraged to provide their thoughts and views on the future work of Port Health Authorities in the United Kingdom.
A number of large UK ports are no longer members of APHA. These ports have formed another group which hold regular (quarterly) ‘Major Ports Forum’ meetings. The FSA, The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and The Animal and Plant Health Agency actively participate in all of these meetings.
The Government will continue to collaborate with Port Health Authorities going forward to ensure impacts on Port Health Authorities are fully considered in any policy making decisions.
Asked by: Baroness Blood (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the current funding arrangements for the Association of Port Health Authorities.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The Association of Port Health Authorities is currently self-funded by its Members. It is not anticipated that this will change following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.