UK government institute allots US$165 million for FMD laboratories

The UK research institute at the centre of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak two years ago has been given GBP100 million (US$165.30 million) by the government to build new laboratories, the BBC reports on its Web site.

The head of the Institute for Animal Health at Pirbright in Surrey, said the new laboratories will meet the highest standards of biosecurity.

Research at the new laboratory will focus on controlling the spread of diseases as a result of climate change. Scientists will also combat the spread of diseases from animals to humans.

The episode two years ago drew attention to the state of the facilities at the site - which one report described as "shabby and dilapidated."

US$1 = GBP0.60 (July 28)