There was an £80m boost for the Institute for Animal Health research facilities at Pirbright when Chancellor George Osborne delivered his Autumn Statement today.
The funding will be made available to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Along with support from BBSRC’s own capital budget, it will allow the construction of a £100m-plus second phase of the development of the Pirbright campus.
The work will include the development of new high containment laboratories, experimental facilities and supporting infrastructure for studying avian and other animal diseases and to support the development of new vaccines and tests.
IAH scientists have led world research into Marek’s disease for the last 25 years. An uncontrollable strain of Marek’s could wipe out up to 90% of the poultry industry, while a major avian influenza outbreak could destroy 20-50%, at a cost of over £1 billion. Development of vaccines and diagnostic tests through IAH research will allows the UK to stay ahead of developing threats.
Peter Kendall, President of the National Farmers Union, said: “We are delighted with the investment at Pirbright, which will allow the Institute for Animal Health to build on its world-leading work on combating animal diseases like bird flu and foot and mouth, and help underpin the future of livestock farming.”
The new facilities will become operational in 2016.
- Mrs S Bingham - 01/12/2011
What a reward for the place which was responsible for the last outbreak of F&M! I understand that this investment will be at the expense of other regional research and veterinary centres particularly the northlerly ones?