The British Columbia government is building a new plant and animal health centre in Abbotsford.

Ag minister Lana Popham says it will be the backbone of B.C.’s food safety system, helping farmers and veterinarians quickly detect and respond to animal and plant diseases that could threaten animal safety, food supply and public health.

The current centre suffered extensive damages during the 2021 floods in Abbotsford and needs to be replaced to meet the increasing demands for testing. The centre handles more than 10,000 cases annually from farmers and organizations, helping to detect, monitor and prevent diseases such as avian influenza, West Nile virus and chronic wasting disease. Staff at the lab conduct, on average, 100,000 tests annually.

The new centre will be at 34252 King Rd., next to the University of Fraser Valley’s Abbotsford campus, just off Highway 1. It will replace the current 30-year-old facility and be built to modern specifications to provide updated testing for farmers and better protect public health.

The provincial government has approved up to $496 million to buy the land, build the new facility and buy equipment. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 with enhanced services available to B.C. producers by 2032.

“The plant and animal health centre is a valuable tool for agricultural producers in British Columbia,” said Preston Farris, director of production, Oso Berry Farms. “The lab services helped Oso Berry Farms to make informed decisions on our farms and is an integral part of our integrated pest management. Further investment in the centre will allow farmers to receive important animal and plant health information at an expedited rate.”

Source:  BC Government October 14, 2025 news release