A £200m investment in the UK’s main research and laboratory testing facility will bolster the country’s fight against dangerous animal diseases.
The Animal Plant Health Agency’s laboratories at Weybridge, which protect the country against the increasing threats of animal diseases, will now be safeguarded and enhanced – ensuring we maintain our world-leading scientific and veterinary capability.
The move will help deliver on the government’s Plan for Change mission to deliver growth by helping to protect profits for farmers and other food producers.
Upgrading critical facilities to respond to disease outbreaks
Weybridge is the UK’s primary capability for managing the threats posed by the spread of animal diseases, many of which pose a significant threat to public health, the food and farming sector, the wider economy, and the environment.
However, the government inherited the laboratories in poor condition with their long-term future in doubt – posing a significant risk to Britain’s farmers and human health.
It is a critical national infrastructure and a global centre of expertise in a wide range of animal diseases, providing ‘end to end’ capability from research to outbreak response.
The threat from zoonotic diseases is increasing globally, with nearly two-thirds of infectious diseases in humans originating in animals, such as Avian Influenza and bovine tuberculosis.
The funding will enable the APHA to replace and upgrade the biosecurity facilities, providing increased capability to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks.
This new science hub will provide additional capacity to meet both current and future requirements, including enhancing its ability to handle concurrent major disease outbreaks.
Protecting farming from outbreaks of animal diseases
Development is essential in safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities, who face significant impacts from outbreaks of animal diseases, such as movement restrictions and livestock loss.
The export of livestock, meat and meat products, dairy, and animal by-products is worth £16bn per year to the UK economy. APHA’s services safeguard these exports.
The funding pledge underlines the government’s commitment to shielding our farmers from the devastating impacts of animal diseases.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed explained: “Animal diseases represent a significant risk to Britain’s farmers, global trade and human health.
“Recognising the importance of protecting our farming and food sector to deliver growth across the UK, we are bolstering our national biosecurity and safeguarding the county from these diseases with a £200m investment into our scientific capabilities.”
APHA is at the forefront of managing the UK’s biosecurity
APHA’s vital work includes leading the current operational response to the impacts of Avian Influenza and Bluetongue virus (BTV-3), which has been affecting farmers across the country.
This includes testing thousands of samples, which requires significant laboratory capacity.
“APHA is at the forefront of tackling animal and plant disease outbreaks, with our experts working around the clock to manage threats to the UK’s biosecurity,” said Jenny Stewart, Animal Plant Health Agency Chief Executive.
“This funding is hugely welcomed to support crucial upgrades that will allow us to continue delivering disease surveillance, detection, and research work that protects against new and existing threats of animal diseases.”
She concluded: “Our work is world-leading, and this funding affirms the government’s commitment to protecting animal and plant health and will help us protect the economy from disease risk.”
The risk to our biosecurity will continue to rise in the years ahead due to a changing climate, as it will ensure new pathways for pests, pathogens and invasive species.
This investment will help ensure we are better prepared for the future.
