Government has announced that 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 (APHA) laboratories at Weybridge, which protect the country against the increasing threats of animal and plant diseases, will now be safeguarded and enhanced, which Government said would “ensure we maintain our world-leading scientific and veterinary capability”.
Government said the move would “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 risk to Britain’s farmers and human health.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed 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 country from these diseases with a £200 million investment into our scientific capabilities.”
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 reportedly 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.
APHA said 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.
“This funding is hugely welcomed to support crucial upgrades that will allow us to continue delivering the disease surveillance, detection and research work.”
Jenny Stewart, APHA CEO
Animal Plant Health Agency CEO 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 said the risk to UK 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 the UK is better prepared for the future.
