British Columbia invests US$350 million in new plant and animal health center

CANADA – British Columbia is investing nearly half a billion Canadian dollars in a new plant and animal health center to bolster its defenses against agricultural diseases and protect the province’s food systems, farmers, and communities.

The provincial government announced plans to build the CAD496 million (US$353 million) facility in Abbotsford, aiming to replace the current center that was severely damaged during the 2021 floods. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with enhanced services available to producers by 2032.

Located at 34252 King Rd., next to the University of Fraser Valley’s Abbotsford campus, the new state-of-the-art center will serve as the cornerstone of B.C.’s food safety and biosecurity system. 

It will enhance the province’s ability to detect and respond swiftly to plant and animal diseases such as avian influenza, West Nile virus, and chronic wasting disease, pathogens that can threaten both public and animal health.

“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 center 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.”

Currently, the center handles more than 10,000 cases and conducts about 100,000 diagnostic tests annually for farmers and organizations across the province.

A commitment to farmers and public health

The project has received widespread support from agricultural leaders who say the new facility will reinforce the resilience of the province’s farming community.

“All farmers and ranchers in the province rely on the excellent veterinary and diagnostic work done at the plant and animal health center,” said Jennifer Woike, president of the BC Agriculture Council. 

“Building a new and updated center is an extraordinary commitment to ensure the continued health of livestock and crops and, by extension, the health of all British Columbians.”

Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, highlighted the center’s importance to early disease detection and public health. 

“A new state-of-the-art plant and animal health center will help strengthen public health by detecting diseases, such as avian influenza, before they reach people. It will also ensure safer food on our tables by monitoring food sources, tracking emerging threats, and guiding swift responses,” she said.

Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens welcomed the province’s decision to keep the center in the city, describing it as a vital resource for the region’s farmers. 

“This plant and animal health center will continue providing farmers with support for keeping their farms healthy, safeguarding their livelihoods and strengthening food security across B.C.,” Siemens said.

Building a resilient future

The center will be one of Western Canada’s leading full-service veterinary laboratories, supporting provincial veterinary, diagnostic and food safety programs. 

It will also be equipped with modern technology and expanded capabilities to meet growing testing demands.

“To successfully manage biosecurity risks, access to timely information and diagnostic testing is needed,” said Brad Driediger, president of the BC Poultry Association and BC Chicken Growers’ Association. 

“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 center.”

Once complete, the new facility is expected to play a pivotal role in keeping B.C.’s food systems safe and sustainable, helping farmers, animals, and communities thrive for decades to come.

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