From Duncan Campbell, Association of Public Analysts
The closure of the UK Forensic Science Service is not the only set of laboratory closures of concern in the UK (11 February, p 10). The network of public analyst labs, which provides a similar service in the area of food law enforcement, faces a bleak future. By the end of this month, and all within the space of one year, labs in Durham, Leicester and Bristol will have shut. The service is demand-led and demand is falling due to pressures on local authority budgets.
Risks to consumers are not what they were 150 years ago, but we only need to look at recent scares involving the dye Sudan I, melamine in baby food and the risks of drinking fake vodka to see that food scandals continue.
Lab capacity, capability and expertise cannot be turned on and off like a tap. When a public analyst lab is closed, a wealth of experience is lost for good.
Leeds, UK
