Animal and Plant Health Agency

Our mission is to safeguard animal and plant health for the bene­fit of people, the environment and the economy.

Why we do it:
Informed policy making in UK and EU
Enhanced food security
Improved agricultural economy
Healthier people, plants animals and environment
Rapid control of pest and disease outbreaks
Reduced risk from new and emerging threats

What we do:
Engagement with farmers, industry groups and the public
Applied expert advice to decision makers
Threat surveillance
Risk assessment and mitigation
Reference laboratories for animal health
Influencing international policy development
Expert research: playing a part in the wider scientifi­c community
Inspection, certifi­cation and enforcement
High quality laboratory services
Rapid emergency response
Interface between industry and government

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) was created on 1 October 2014. Around 2,450 staff work for APHA based at sites across Great Britain.

The agency was formed from four functions of the Food and Environment Research Agency (the Bee Inspectorate, the Plants Health and Seeds Inspectorate, the Plant Variety and Seeds Group and the GM Inspectorate) joining with the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency.