Government  is building a new plant and animal health centre to keep people safe by stopping diseases such as avian flu before they spread, protecting British Columbia’s food, farmers, animals and communities.

“B.C. farmers, producers and processors rely on fast, accurate testing to keep their animals healthy and their operations running smoothly,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “This new centre will help producers prevent and respond to disease threats, protect our food supply and support public health. This is a forward-looking investment that will strengthen B.C.’s agriculture sector and safeguard food security for generations to come."

The new plant and animal health centre will be the backbone of B.C.’s food safety system, helping farmers and veterinarians quickly detect and respond to animal and plant diseases that could threaten animal safety, food supply and public health.

“All farmers and ranchers in the province rely on the excellent veterinary and diagnostic work done at the plant and animal health centre,” said Jennifer Woike, president, BC Agriculture Council. “Building a new and updated centre is an extraordinary commitment to ensure the continued health of livestock and crops and, by extension, the health of all British Columbians.”

The current centre suffered extensive damages during the 2021 floods in Abbotsford and needs to be replaced to meet the increasing demands for testing. The centre handles more than 10,000 cases annually from farmers and organizations, helping to detect, monitor and prevent diseases such as avian influenza, West Nile virus and chronic wasting disease. Staff at the lab conduct, on average, 100,000 tests annually.

“A new state-of-the-art plant and animal health centre will help strengthen public health by detecting diseases, such as avian influenza before they reach people,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “It will also ensure safer food on our tables by monitoring food sources, tracking emerging threats and guiding swift responses. This early warning system supports a healthier, more resilient food supply for everyone.”

The new centre will be at 34252 King Rd., next to the University of Fraser Valley’s Abbotsford campus, just off Highway 1. It will replace the current 30-year-old facility and be built to modern specifications to provide updated testing for farmers and better protect public health.

“As the agricultural capital of B.C., the City of Abbotsford understands the importance of protecting the health of our animals, plants and crops,” said Ross Siemens, mayor of Abbotsford. “This plant and animal health centre will continue providing farmers with support for keeping their farms healthy, safeguarding their livelihoods and strengthening food security across B.C. We are grateful to the Province for maintaining Abbotsford as the home for this important facility.”

The Province has approved up to $496 million to buy the land, build the new facility and buy equipment. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 with enhanced services available to B.C. producers by 2032.

“The plant and animal health centre is a valuable tool for agricultural producers in British Columbia,” said Preston Farris, director of production, Oso Berry Farms. “The lab services helped Oso Berry Farms to make informed decisions on our farms, and is an integral part of our integrated pest management. Further investment in the centre will allow farmers to receive important animal and plant health information at an expedited rate.”

The centre is one of Western Canada’s leading full-service veterinary laboratories and plays a key role in the Province’s veterinary, diagnostic and food safety programs that support healthy farms and public health.

Quotes:

Dr. Shannon Waters, deputy provincial health officer –

“The new plant and animal health centre is an essential step to invest in our collective well-being. Security of our food, health and economy is intimately tied to our relationships with land, water, plants and animals. This modern, resilient lab will better equip us to detect and respond to emerging diseases and climate-related risks, and strengthens our capacity to protect the health of plants, animals and humans, today and for generations to come.”

Casey Pruim, chair, BC Dairy Board –

“BC Dairy welcomes the establishment of the new provincial plant and animal health laboratory in Abbotsford. A dedicated facility for timely testing and disease detection is vital to protecting herd health, ensuring food safety, and supporting the long-term sustainability of B.C.’s dairy industry. This investment will enhance the Province’s ability to respond quickly to emerging risks and provide producers and veterinarians with the reliable, efficient and accessible diagnostic services they need to keep herds healthy across B.C.”

Navtej Bains, vice-president of operations, marketing and procurement, Westberry Farms –

“As a B.C. grower, I know firsthand how important reliable diagnostic services are to our industry. The new centre will provide crucial testing and support, especially for challenges like blueberry scorch virus. This investment gives growers confidence that we can protect our crops, respond quickly to plant health issues, and continue producing high-quality berries for local and global markets.”

Brad Driediger, president, BC Poultry Association; president, BC Chicken Growers' Association –

“To successfully manage biosecurity risks, access to timely information and diagnostic testing is needed. British Columbia's poultry sector, which contributes to the food security of our communities and supports thousands of jobs, welcomes the construction of a new plant and animal health centre."

Kevin Boon, general manager, B.C. Cattlemen’s Association –

"Animal health and welfare for ranchers involves a comprehensive, proactive approach. It is also one of the biggest challenges facing livestock producers worldwide today. It is vital that we have modern, technologically advanced facilities to respond to and ultimately prevent future health concerns for our livestock. Our primary responsibility is keeping our animals healthy and the investment in the new provincial Animal Health Centre is key to managing issues as they arise."

Jesse Zeman, executive director, B.C. Wildlife Federation (BCWF) –

“The BCWF is thrilled that the Province is investing in a larger facility which will support the increasing need for testing for wildlife disease, such as chronic wasting disease in a timely manner.”

Quick Facts:

• The centre employs over 60 scientists who provide diagnostic services to British Columbians.
• As an accredited testing facility, the centre offers fee-for-service diagnostic testing to veterinarians, livestock producers, the public and other government agencies, in bacteriology, histopathology, molecular diagnostics, pathology (necropsy), serology, genomics, virology, etc.
• While the Canadian Food Inspection Agency leads the response to avian influenza in Canada, the centre is a key diagnostic laboratory providing testing for the disease.
• The PAHC also tests for chronic wasting disease, a fatal infectious disease that affects cervids, such as deer, elk, moose, and caribou, of which there have been recent cases in the Kootenays.
• The centre publishes a newsletter multiple times per year that offers scientific information on cases of animal or plant disease, including recent news around deceased wildlife, as well as notices for Ministry of Agriculture and Food programs or information sessions.

Learn More:

Details of programs and services in animal health provided by centre are listed here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/animals-and-crops/animal-health/animal-health-centre

Information on the Plant Health Laboratory at PAHC and services provided by the lab are listed here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/animals-and-crops/plant-health

For a detailed breakdown of Services and Fees at the facility, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/animal-and-crops/animal-health/animalhealthcentrefeeguide.pdf