The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate dedicated the long-anticipated National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility on May 24th.
This new 48-acre facility at the northern edge of the Kansas State University campus will be one of the top laboratories in the world to study and diagnose animal diseases. The facility will help protect the nation’s agriculture, farmers and citizens against the threats and potential impacts of severe animal diseases.
NBAF will feature a biosafety level 4 laboratory space to study livestock and other large animals. NBAF replaces the 68-year-old Plum Island Animal Disease Center, a biosafety level 3 facility.
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INSIGHTS: NBAF is good news for animal agriculture, the KC Animal Health Corridor and employment opportunities in science. The facility is currently at 50 percent of the more than 400 jobs anticipated when fully staffed.