Yesterday, officials from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate celebrated the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility i Manhattan. This facility, which offers the highest level of biocontainment laboratories and safety protocols, is the first of its kind in the United States and will allow scientists to study and diagnose critical animal diseases. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak says America’s farmers, ranchers and consumers count on researchers to understand, monitor for and develop solutions to combat a variety of high-consequence animal pathogens, and a facility of this magnitude positions an easier response. It 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. Kansas Governor, Laura Kelly, U. S. Senator Jerry Moran, and former U. S. Senator Pat Roberts also addressed the crowd during the ceremony.
The facility is adjacent to Kansas State University and on the western edge of the largest concentration of animal health companies in the Nation.
