The current pandemic is not the first viral outbreak that the UK has faced in the last two decades. In 2007, an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth disease caused panic in the agricultural sector and is estimated to have cost tens of millions of pounds - thankfully less than the 2001 outbreak of the same virus. Hilary Benn was Secretary of State for the Environment at the time, and was responsible for managing much of the UK’s response.

 

He will be joining SfL “in conversation” to discuss his experiences during the 2007 crisis - bringing in scientific advice, formulating policy, and the ultimate investigation into the cause of the outbreaks. He will share his experiences and discuss what could be learnt from that experience in formulating the political response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

This event will be at 20:10 on Thursday 14 May, via Zoom. This is an excellent opportunity to hear from one Parliament’s most gifted orators and we look forward to hosting him.

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Please sign up for a FREE ticket below!