Pirbright development welcomed

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has welcomed a Government decision to invest in the redevelopment of the animal disease research laboratories at Pirbright in Surrey. The BBSRC and the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) have both expressed their delight at news of the £100 million investment.

Professor Douglas Kell, BBSRC’s chief executive, said, "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 reviews of the UK’s needs for animal health research to help ensure animal welfare and contribute to global food security. The redevelopment at Pirbright will enable implementation of recommendations arising from two separate reviews.

Professor Martin Shirley, IAH’s director, said, "I am absolutely delighted by this news. It is a clear vote of confidence in the world class science carried out at IAH." He said, "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. IAH already attracts and trains the best scientific talent in livestock research across the globe and provision of the new laboratory will ensure that this remains the case."

The Pirbright redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2013.