Sunflower State News

Manhattan, KS- Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. attended the grand opening dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF).  

This state-of-the-art facility in Manhattan, KS, will be crucial in protecting our nation’s food supply and agricultural industry against threats and serious animal diseases. At this facility, scientists will safely assess high-consequence animal pathogens including emerging and zoonotic foreign animal diseases through research, vaccine, and antiviral development. Veterinarians will also be trained on site to detect and diagnose foreign animal disease. 

“Today, Kansans celebrate the grand opening of the NBAF; with its launch, Kansas is now home to the epicenter of biosecurity, biodefense, and biomanufacturing. I am thrilled to see Senator Pat Roberts and former K State president Jon Wefald’s vision come to life with this state-of-the-art NBAF facility,” said Senator Marshall. “When it comes to keeping our nation’s food supply safe, there’s no better home for this facility than Kansas.”

“Food security is national security. NBAF will be critical in preventing animal-related diseases from being introduced into our food supply accidentally or intentionally. I am proud to see Manhattan, KS, and Kansas State University leading the way in animal health and Americans will be safer because of it.” said Senator Marshall.

Animal diseases threaten our food supply, agricultural economy, and public health. NBAF, located in Manhattan, KS, by Kansas State University, will be the first U.S. facility to provide maximum biosafety level-4 biocontainment laboratories capable of housing large livestock for developing vaccines and diagnostics for animal and zoonotic diseases.

Original source can be found here