Plans for a £4.2 million state-of-the-art veterinary hub to drive forward research to protect both animal and human health has been announced by the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths AM.

Responding to the announcement, British Veterinary Association Welsh branch president Sarah Carr said: “We are delighted that substantial funding has been secured for laboratory facilities, which will be a serious value-add to the Aberystwyth/Royal Veterinary College training hub proposals.

“The focus of the £4.2m initiative on improving animal health, disease surveillance and eradication, food security and veterinary science is most welcome. We look forward to hearing more detailed plans of how the hub will deliver a range of cutting-edge training opportunities for Wales’ vets of tomorrow, benefitting the profession and the farming industry in Wales and beyond.”

Ms Carr added: “The Vet Hub 1 project will be backed with £3m from the European Regional Development Fund, through the Welsh Government, highlighting the importance of EU funding to veterinary research and development in the UK. R&D income for veterinary science to the UK totals £55m a year.”