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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
ABBOTSFORD
– Construction will begin next month
on a high-tech lab that will allow the Province to respond faster and more
efficiently to animal disease incidents, Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat
Bell announced today.
The
Containment Level 3 (CL3) lab, to be built by Vanbots Construction, will be an
addition to the existing Animal Health Centre in Abbotsford. It will allow
staff to test samples for highly infectious viruses and bacteria in a safe,
secure location while preventing escape of such agents back into the
environment.
“We
will be able to respond very quickly to animal health threats such as avian
influenza and other incidents of importance to the agriculture industry and our
trading partners,” said Bell. “As well, the new facility will provide an
additional level of security that protects laboratory workers from infection by
diseases that jump the animal-to-human barrier.”
The
2006 provincial budget provided funds to enable construction of the
$14.5-million high-security lab. Construction of the facility is anticipated to
begin in mid-December and the lab is expected to be ready for operation by late
2007. Before it becomes operational, it must be tested and commissioned by the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
“There
were lessons to be learned from animal health incidents in 2004 and 2005,” said
Bell. “One is the need to deliver more timely results, which would allow us to
get on the ground much more quickly and deal with the situation. The new lab
will help us do that.”
A scale model of the new
laboratory and the architects’ plans were put on display today at the centre.
The event was attended by Chuck Strahl, Member of Parliament for
Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, who is also Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.
“This
new B.C. laboratory will strengthen Canada’s capacity to respond rapidly to
animal disease threats to human and animal health,” said Strahl.
An artist’s
rendering of the soon-to-be-constructed lab is available at: www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca//DisplayEventDetails.aspx?eventId=332
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Communications Director Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 250 356-2862 250 213-3072 (cell) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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