Sunflower State News

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly this week joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials to celebrate the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). This facility is the first of its kind in the United States and will allow scientists to study and diagnose critical animal diseases.

The state-of-the-art facility is strategically placed near the largest concentration of animal health companies in the world, providing access to important veterinary, agricultural, and biosecurity research and expertise.

Here’s what they’re saying:

“This facility will lead to the creation of vaccines and other treatments for animal diseases that will benefit our entire food supply chain and the agriculture industry at large—right here in Kansas. From an economic perspective, this lab will provide for hundreds of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. I’m proud of the hard work from a broad, bipartisan coalition of leaders from the public and private sector who came together to make this dream a reality.”

– Governor Laura Kelly

“For me, this [work] all started over 20 years ago. We still must be prepared for a threat that could have been disastrous then, and I believe still remains. I repeat what I said then and now: it is so easy to do and the consequences are so terribly severe, short- and long-term. And that, my friends, is why we have NBAF…This project has never been an ‘I’ effort, it has always been a ‘we’ effort. I have truly enjoyed working with everyone, every day, every year for this important facility.”

– Former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts

“America’s farmers, ranchers, and consumers count on our researchers to understand, monitor for and develop solutions to combat a variety of high-consequence animal pathogens, and a facility of this magnitude positions us to respond. This new, innovative facility will give USDA scientists access to cutting-edge, safe and secure technology so they can continue to lead the world in animal health research, training and diagnostics to protect our food supply, agricultural economy and public health.”

– Tom Vilsack,

U.S. Agriculture Secretary

“The future is brighter because of what is happening in Manhattan with the National Bio & Agro-Defense Facility – the largest federal investment in the state. For Kansas, this facility represents hundreds of jobs in critical STEM fields and a major economic investment for Manhattan and the surrounding region. NBAF will create more opportunities to work and live in Kansas, while contributing to our national security and cutting-edge research.”

– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran

“The National Bio and Agro-Defense facility is a testament to the progress that can be made when leaders from both sides of the aisle come together to deliver for Kansans. Helping secure this innovative facility is one of my proudest accomplishments during my time as minority leader, and I firmly believe it will be transformative for our economy and animal health and agricultural sectors.”

– Anthony Hensley,

Former Minority Leader, Kansas Senate

“Thank you to all our partners, leaders and staff. Also, I’m grateful for the tremendous support from our state and national leaders — past and present. What you see before us is a result of their vision and determination to protect U.S. agriculture. As we reflect on what has been accomplished already, let us mark this [facility] as a new beginning and the opportunity to create expectations for our future success.”

– Dr. Alfonso Clavijo,

Director, USDA National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility 

Original source can be found here.