The UK government has announced a £1 billion ($1.35 billion) investment to create a state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre aimed at detecting and preventing high-risk animal diseases

and other biological threats that could lead to future pandemics.

Set to become fully operational by 2033/34, the facility will be located in Surrey, southwest of London, where advanced animal health laboratories already operate. The initiative forms a key part of the government’s upcoming National Security Strategy, expected to be released later today.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed stated that the new centre will help shield farmers and food producers from disease outbreaks, bolster the UK’s food security, and enhance public health protections.

The biosecurity hub will also be integrated into a wider network of laboratories designed to monitor and respond to biological threats, including those posed by hostile states, the government added. Photo by Maryland GovPics, Wikimedia commons.