IARN — Recent history is proof that animal disease outbreaks like mad cow, foot and mouth disease, avian influenza, and African swine fever can devastate livestock industries both home and abroad. The importance of a strong defense system against animal disease cannot be overstated.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke at the ribbon cutting of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas on Wednesday. The facility will replace the 68-year-old Plum Island Animal Disease Center where USDA currently conducts foreign animal disease research, training, and diagnostics.
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