A new facility where scientists can study and diagnose animal diseases has been officially opened adjacent to Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.
The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility had its dedication and ribbon-cutting May 24, according to a May 24 news release. Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate participated in the event.
“America’s farmers, ranchers and consumers count on our researchers to understand, monitor for and develop solutions to combat a variety of high-consequence animal pathogens, and a facility of this magnitude positions us to respond,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release. “This new, innovative facility will give USDA scientists access to cutting-edge, safe and secure technology so they can continue to lead the world in animal health research, training and diagnostics to protect our food supply, agricultural economy and public health.”
This one-of-a-kind facility "offers the highest level of biocontainment laboratories and safety protocols,” the release reported. This new space will help scientists study and diagnose critical animal diseases.
The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility is on 48 acres and has more than 700,000 square feet of total building space, according to the release.
“The main building, at 500,000 square feet, includes containment laboratories, animal holding facilities, office spaces, facility support areas and required safety systems — such as redundant high efficiency particulate air filter and waste decontamination systems,” the release said.
The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility replaces the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York, which is more than 68 years old, the release said.
USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will operate the new facility jointly, with ARS working to understand high-consequence and emerging animal diseases and developing vaccines and antivirals and APHIS focused on prevention, surveillance, diagnosis and response to the diseases, according to the release.
Manhattan, Kansas, was selected for the new facility in 2009. The Department of Homeland Security led in the facility’s “design and construction, and USDA will own and operate the facility,” the release said.
