Latest news with #JennyStewart
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
'Ageing' biosecurity labs in Surrey pledged £1bn for upgrade
The government has pledged to spend £1bn upgrading an animal health research centre in Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced the investment in high-containment laboratories near Weybridge on National Audit Office (NAO) said in a June report the site, run by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), currently has a "very high" risk of site NAO also estimated the total cost of redeveloping the site would be £2.8bn. The government said the facilities will help manage animal disease outbreaks and the risk of future announcement followed the publication of a policy paper in March, which announced the development of a "national biosecurity centre" at the centre will "provide essential research, surveillance and outbreak response to help stop diseases" damaging the UK, according to the also announced £200m of funding in December for the APHA to upgrade biosecurity facilities at the Surrey announcement comes as part of a the UK's latest national security strategy. Farmers 'better protected' The government said work was already underway to redevelop the labs would be up and running in 2027 and 2028 while the national biosecurity centre was due to be fully operational is 2034, it Borough Council granted outline planning permission to redevelop the site in senior science director Jenny Stewart said Tuesday's announcement was a "vital milestone" in the funding will allow the agency's researchers to "continue their critical work in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities", she Secretary Steve Reed said: "Farmers and food producers will now be better protected from diseases, our food security strengthened, and public health better safeguarded against future pandemics." The Surrey site houses 98% of APHA high-containment laboratories, is its main long-term animal health studies site and is the the agency's only facility that can deal with most zoonotic diseases, according to the public spending watchdog warned in its report that the site is "in poor condition, with ageing buildings that need major repair and replacement".It added: "Any major failure at Weybridge could have potentially significant impacts on the UK."For example, APHA may not be able to deliver its emergency response during an outbreak."
Powys County Times
5 hours ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
New biosecurity centre to tackle pandemics and animal disease gets £1bn funding
A £1 billion investment in a new national biosecurity centre will help tackle animal disease outbreaks and the risk of future pandemics, the Government said. The announcement is part of a new national security strategy being unveiled on Tuesday, and the facility will join a network of government laboratories to protect the public and respond to biological security risks. The funding for the next phase of a biosecurity centre at Weybridge, Surrey, comes after warnings from the National Audit Office that the Government was not properly prepared for a major outbreak of animal disease. Animal diseases such as bird flu, bluetongue and African swine fever can pose serious threats to England's farming sector, food security, and wildlife, and are a major and increasing risk to public health. About 60% of all known human infectious diseases can be transmitted from animals to people, and three quarters of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, officials warned. The 'record' investment will complete the redevelopment of the crumbling animal science facilities at Weybridge, which the National Audit Office (NAO) recently warned was at 'very high' risk of site failure. It aims to enhance detection, surveillance and control measures for high-risk animal diseases such as foot and mouth, officials said. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'The first role of any Government is national security. 'That is why we are making a record investment into the nation's biosecurity capabilities and, in turn, our national security, after years of chronic underfunding. 'Farmers and food producers will now be better protected from diseases, our food security strengthened, and public health better safeguarded against future pandemics.' Jenny Stewart, senior science director at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which runs the labs, said the funding was a 'vital milestone' in the delivery of the new facilities. 'Our scientists and specialists at Weybridge are at the heart of the UK's disease surveillance and response capability and provide a global centre of expertise. 'Investment on this scale will enable them to continue their critical work in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities, supported by the very latest technologies.' The Government said work was already under way at the Weybridge site, with the first interim labs to support science ready in 2027 and 2028, and the national biosecurity centre due to be operational in 2033-34.
North Wales Chronicle
8 hours ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
New biosecurity centre to tackle pandemics and animal disease gets £1bn funding
The announcement is part of a new national security strategy being unveiled on Tuesday, and the facility will join a network of government laboratories to protect the public and respond to biological security risks. The funding for the next phase of a biosecurity centre at Weybridge, Surrey, comes after warnings from the National Audit Office that the Government was not properly prepared for a major outbreak of animal disease. Animal diseases such as bird flu, bluetongue and African swine fever can pose serious threats to England's farming sector, food security, and wildlife, and are a major and increasing risk to public health. About 60% of all known human infectious diseases can be transmitted from animals to people, and three quarters of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, officials warned. The 'record' investment will complete the redevelopment of the crumbling animal science facilities at Weybridge, which the National Audit Office (NAO) recently warned was at 'very high' risk of site failure. It aims to enhance detection, surveillance and control measures for high-risk animal diseases such as foot and mouth, officials said. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'The first role of any Government is national security. 'That is why we are making a record investment into the nation's biosecurity capabilities and, in turn, our national security, after years of chronic underfunding. 'Farmers and food producers will now be better protected from diseases, our food security strengthened, and public health better safeguarded against future pandemics.' Jenny Stewart, senior science director at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which runs the labs, said the funding was a 'vital milestone' in the delivery of the new facilities. 'Our scientists and specialists at Weybridge are at the heart of the UK's disease surveillance and response capability and provide a global centre of expertise. 'Investment on this scale will enable them to continue their critical work in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities, supported by the very latest technologies.' The Government said work was already under way at the Weybridge site, with the first interim labs to support science ready in 2027 and 2028, and the national biosecurity centre due to be operational in 2033-34.
South Wales Argus
8 hours ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
New biosecurity centre to tackle pandemics and animal disease gets £1bn funding
The announcement is part of a new national security strategy being unveiled on Tuesday, and the facility will join a network of government laboratories to protect the public and respond to biological security risks. The funding for the next phase of a biosecurity centre at Weybridge, Surrey, comes after warnings from the National Audit Office that the Government was not properly prepared for a major outbreak of animal disease. Animal diseases such as bird flu, bluetongue and African swine fever can pose serious threats to England's farming sector, food security, and wildlife, and are a major and increasing risk to public health. About 60% of all known human infectious diseases can be transmitted from animals to people, and three quarters of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, officials warned. The 'record' investment will complete the redevelopment of the crumbling animal science facilities at Weybridge, which the National Audit Office (NAO) recently warned was at 'very high' risk of site failure. It aims to enhance detection, surveillance and control measures for high-risk animal diseases such as foot and mouth, officials said. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'The first role of any Government is national security. 'That is why we are making a record investment into the nation's biosecurity capabilities and, in turn, our national security, after years of chronic underfunding. 'Farmers and food producers will now be better protected from diseases, our food security strengthened, and public health better safeguarded against future pandemics.' Jenny Stewart, senior science director at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which runs the labs, said the funding was a 'vital milestone' in the delivery of the new facilities. 'Our scientists and specialists at Weybridge are at the heart of the UK's disease surveillance and response capability and provide a global centre of expertise. 'Investment on this scale will enable them to continue their critical work in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities, supported by the very latest technologies.' The Government said work was already under way at the Weybridge site, with the first interim labs to support science ready in 2027 and 2028, and the national biosecurity centre due to be operational in 2033-34.
South Wales Guardian
8 hours ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
New biosecurity centre to tackle pandemics and animal disease gets £1bn funding
The announcement is part of a new national security strategy being unveiled on Tuesday, and the facility will join a network of government laboratories to protect the public and respond to biological security risks. The funding for the next phase of a biosecurity centre at Weybridge, Surrey, comes after warnings from the National Audit Office that the Government was not properly prepared for a major outbreak of animal disease. Animal diseases such as bird flu, bluetongue and African swine fever can pose serious threats to England's farming sector, food security, and wildlife, and are a major and increasing risk to public health. About 60% of all known human infectious diseases can be transmitted from animals to people, and three quarters of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, officials warned. The 'record' investment will complete the redevelopment of the crumbling animal science facilities at Weybridge, which the National Audit Office (NAO) recently warned was at 'very high' risk of site failure. It aims to enhance detection, surveillance and control measures for high-risk animal diseases such as foot and mouth, officials said. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'The first role of any Government is national security. 'That is why we are making a record investment into the nation's biosecurity capabilities and, in turn, our national security, after years of chronic underfunding. 'Farmers and food producers will now be better protected from diseases, our food security strengthened, and public health better safeguarded against future pandemics.' Jenny Stewart, senior science director at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which runs the labs, said the funding was a 'vital milestone' in the delivery of the new facilities. 'Our scientists and specialists at Weybridge are at the heart of the UK's disease surveillance and response capability and provide a global centre of expertise. 'Investment on this scale will enable them to continue their critical work in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities, supported by the very latest technologies.' The Government said work was already under way at the Weybridge site, with the first interim labs to support science ready in 2027 and 2028, and the national biosecurity centre due to be operational in 2033-34.
