Safeguarding public and animal health
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About the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA)
VLA is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and is well known as a centre of scientific excellence. For over 100 years, we have been delivering research, surveillance and laboratory services for animal and public health.
Our services include a wide range of interrelated core functions and capabilities:
- Disease prevention & control
- Epidemiology
- Environmental health & protection
- Reference & specialist testing
- Supporting regulation & policy development & quality improvement
- Animal health related research
- Supporting international trade
- Expert advice
- Emergency preparedness & response
- Enabling partnership & communication
- Training & education
For further information about VLA, see: