WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its Record of Decision explaining the selection of Kansas State University (K-State) in Manhattan, Kansas, as the location for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF).

“The selection speaks loudly to the leadership in animal health research and the animal health industry that Kansas has in the United States,” Jenkins said. “K-State’s internationally recognized animal health research expertise and research infrastructure, including the Biosecurity Research Institute and the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, make it an exceptional location for the NBAF.”

The NBAF will replace the Plum Island facility, the federal government’s current location for animal disease research. In March 2006, K-State formally submitted interest along with 28 other interested sites around the country and eventually became one of six locations where DHS conducted an environmental impact statement. The selection of K-State was made in DHS’s final environmental impact statement. Construction on the NBAF is scheduled to begin in 2010, with completion expected in 2014.

The NBAF will conduct research to develop vaccines and countermeasures to animal, human and zoonotic (infecting both animals and humans) diseases. The research conducted at the NBAF will protect animal and public health and improve our capability to defend against naturally occurring and intentionally introduced disease threats. The close proximity to established research capabilities and to an established workforce were important factors in the selection of K-State.

“I commend the NBAF in Kansas Task Force, including Governor Sebelius, Senator Roberts, Lieutenant Governor Parkinson and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, and the other members of the Kansas congressional delegation and all local and state officials and industry representatives who have worked to bring NBAF to Kansas,” Jenkins said. “Manhattan, K-State and the State of Kansas have a proven expertise in and commitment to animal health research and to the animal health industry. The research done by folks at the NBAF will protect animal and public health and promote our leadership in bioscience research.”