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About the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA)

VLA is a regional network of 16 veterinary laboratories, including one in Scotland, two in Wales, and a central facility near Weybridge in Surrey. Additionally there are two Surveillance Centres at the Liverpool and London Veterinary Schools.

VLA is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra); providing a wide range of applied research and consultancy on livestock diseases and surveillance of new and emerging diseases to government and the animal health industry.

We are also a Reference Laboratory for many farm animal diseases such as avian influenza, TSEs and brucellosis.

Our mission statement

Image of VLA's Mission Statement

Our key aims

We provide our customers with the highest quality scientific data and advice to support evidence-based policymaking while providing best value for money.

We work collaboratively to deliver leading edge veterinary research, surveillance, consultancy and laboratory testing services through a series of integrated science programmes.

We maintain an emergency response capability for animal health and public health threats.

We develop colleagues to their full potential and recognise their individual and collective contribution.

We work by a set of principles and values that underpin our behaviour:

  • Be open to constructive criticism and external challenge.
  • Develop leadership to promote shared vision and values.
  • Demonstrate rigour and responsibility in relation to our science.
  • Share knowledge and communicate openly at all levels.
  • Strive for excellence whilst confronting poor performance
  • Treat everyone fairly and recognise their views and contributions.
  • Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
  • Work together to turn problems into solutions.