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New Laboratory Enhances Ability to Identify Foreign Animal Diseases

July 10, 2022 – St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – Agriculture and Agri-Food (AAFC)

A $3.9 million modern facility that significantly improves Newfoundland and Labrador's ability to identify and respond to foreign animal diseases was officially opened by the Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency this afternoon. Minister Granter was joined by John Dinn, MHA for Kilbride and the province's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Hugh Whitney.

The new Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory Complex, co-located with the Provincial Agriculture Building in St. John's, includes a molecular diagnostics laboratory, rabies laboratory, necropsy room and incinerator. It was funded through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agriculture AgriFlexibility Agreement with the Provincial Government investing $2.9 million and the Federal Government providing $1 million.

The Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture industry generates direct and indirect employment for approximately 6,500 people. Together with agrifoods production, the industry is valued at nearly $500 million per year.

Through Budget 2015, the Provincial Government will provide close to $12 million through Growing Forward 2, the Agriculture and Agrifoods Development Fund, Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program, Land Consolidation Program, Agriculture Research and Development Program, and the Agricultural Limestone Program.

Quick facts

• The $3.9 million Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory Complex was officially opened next to the Provincial Agriculture Building in St. John's this afternoon by the Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency.
• The new, modern facility significantly improves Newfoundland and Labrador's ability to identify and respond foreign animal diseases and includes a molecular diagnostics laboratory, rabies laboratory, necropsy room and incinerator.
• The complex was funded through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agriculture AgriFlexibility Agreement with the Provincial Government investing $2.9 million and the Federal Government investing $1 million.

Quotes

"The Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory Complex enhances our ability to monitor, regulate and control foreign animal diseases, before they impact the agriculture industry, and respond quickly in the event of a disease outbreak. It enhances testing for diseases of provincial concern such as rabies, and avian influenza and demonstrates the Provincial Government's commitment to improved food security and public and animal health. The facility also increases our capacity to work with academic institutions to study significant animal diseases."

- The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency

"Our government is committed to investments in projects like this that provide frontline protection to the agriculture industry and consumers, by increasing our ability to detect, monitor and control the spread of foreign animal diseases. We are proud to partner with Newfoundland and Labrador in research and development that strengthens and increases the competitiveness of the agriculture industry."

- Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

"This new modern facility will benefit producers, farmers, livestock owners and residents from all over the province. As the MHA for a district with a large agriculture presence, I can speak first-hand to the value of the industry and I am pleased this new facility will be here to serve this growing sector for many years to come."

- John Dinn, MHA for Kilbride

Contacts

Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 709-697-5267
[email protected]

Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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