Upper Hutt’s vital role in protecting New Zealand

Upper Hutt’s vital role in protecting New Zealand

Upper Hutt will remain central of New Zealand’s biosecurity thanks to a new $65m high-security bio-containment laboratory, to be built on the existing site at Wallaceville.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries’ animal health laboratories play a pivotal role in responding to animal disease outbreaks, protecting public health and assuring our trading partners about our country’s animal disease status,” says Dr William Rolleston, Federated Farmers Biosecurity spokesperson.

“This vital investment is not only necessary but will be welcomed by all parts of the primary industries, particularly those of us in the pastoral sectors.

“Wallaceville is located within 90-minutes drive time of Massey University, including the Veterinary School there, and a similar time by air to Lincoln University.

“With building due to start next April, we expect the new Wallaceville facility will be operational by March 2018.

“Vitally, it will imbue New Zealand with a laboratory complex that meets current international standards.

“Importantly, the new laboratories will have enhanced capacity to deal with any large-scale emergency should the worst occur. This is prudent from our perspective.

“Given the anticipated completion in 2018, it aligns with AgResearch’s main research hubs in Palmerston North & Lincoln being operational in 2017.

“This further reinforces Wallaceville, a peri-urban area, as being a sound strategic location.

“Within 90 minutes, north or south, will be Massey and Lincoln Universities, AgResearch, DairyNZ, Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, AsureQuality, BioCommerce Centre, ESR, Fonterra and the Riddet Institute.

“While there is no change to the disease materials and pathogens held on the site, Federated Farmers welcomes confirmation that the Ministry does not store foot and mouth virus there, now or in the future,” Dr Rolleston concluded.

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