Farmers’ livelihoods will be protected with a £200 million investment to halt devastating plant and animal health threats.

This will boost the ability of the UK’s leading biosecurity centre at Weybridge to defend the nation against animal diseases.

Labour claims the laboratories were in such poor condition they could have been lost by 2032. The cash injection is intended to ensure the UK continues to have “world-leading scientific and veterinary capability”.

Farmers are on guard against avian influenza and the bluetongue virus, which can kill cattle and sheep. The influenza outbreak led to the deaths of 3.8 million birds between 2021-23, and specialists and vets are “working around the clock” to identify livestock infected with bluetongue and help farmers cope.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “This Government commitment to our farmers remains steadfast and contributes to our mission to deliver growth across the UK.

“The labs at Weybridge were in serious disrepair putting our ability to support farmers manage disease at risk.

“That is why we are investing £200 million to upgrade these facilities to protect Britain’s farmers from animal disease outbreaks.”

“The Government plans to invest £5 billion in nature-friendly farming over the next two years”.

It claims this is “the largest amount ever directed towards sustainable food production in our country’s history”.

The economy’s exports of livestock, meat, dairy, and related products are worth £ 16 billion a year. The Weybridge upgrade is hoped to bolster Britain’s reputation as a “safe trading partner.”