The Animal Plant Health Agency laboratories are to be
significantly upgraded with £200 million investment.
The country's fight against animal disease is to be bolstered
with a £200 million pound investment in the UK's main research
and laboratory testing facility.
The Animal Plant Health Agency's laboratories at Weybridge, which
protect the country against the increasing threats of animal and
plant 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.
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.
Weybridge is the UK's primary capability for managing the threats
posed by the spread of diseases carried by animals, many of which
pose a significant threat to public health, the food and farming
sector, the wider economy, and the environment. It is 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.
The development is essential in safeguarding the livelihoods of
farmers and rural communities, who face significant impacts in an
animal disease outbreak such as movement restrictions and loss of
livestock. The export of livestock, meat and meat products, dairy
and animal by-products is worth £16 billion per year to the UK
economy. These exports are safeguarded by the services that APHA
provides.
The funding pledge underlines the government's commitment to
shielding our farmers from the devastating impacts of animal
disease.
Environment Secretary said:
Animal disease represents a significant risk to Britain's
farmers, global trade and human health.
We inherited laboratories at Weybridge in poor condition,
reducing our ability to respond to animal disease
outbreaks.
Recognising the importance of protecting our farming and food
sector in order to deliver growth across the UK, we are
bolstering our national biosecurity and safeguarding the county
from these diseases with a £200 million investment into our
scientific capabilities.
Animal Plant Health Agency Chief Executive Jenny Stewart
said:
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.
This funding is hugely welcomed to support crucial upgrades that
will allow us to continue delivering the disease surveillance,
detection and research work which protects against new and
existing threats.
The work we do 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.
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.
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 pest, pathogens and invasive species This investment will
help ensure we are better prepared for the future.
Notes
APHA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department
for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the Welsh
Government, and The
Scottish Government.
