UK: €116m boost for animal health research
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) welcome over £100 million (€116 million) by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) in the redevelopment of the UK’s animal disease research laboratories in Pirbright, Surrey.
Prof Douglas Kell, BBSRC’s CEO: “This new funding is a major boost for animal health research in the UK and great news for the UK scientific community. This redevelopment at Pirbright will strengthen our strategic capability to protect UK livestock and other animals – including people – from devastating diseases.”
The government’s decision follows extensive reviews of the UK’s needs for animal health research to help ensure animal welfare and contribute to global food security.
Confidence
Prof Martin Shirley, IAH’s Director: “[This news] is a clear vote of confidence in the world class science carried out at IAH and recognises the increasing threats posed by animal diseases…which could cause massive economic and social damage.”
“The investment in state-of-the-art facilities at IAH will ensure the UK is in a position to control, contain and eradicate the threats of established and emerging diseases of animals. This is particularly important now as vector-borne diseases are spreading northwards as a consequence of the changing climate,” he said.
The Pirbright redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2013.
Related website:
Institute for Animal Health (IAH)
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