National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) Fact Sheet

The United States needs to be on the front line of livestock animal health research to defend against foreign animal, emerging, and zoonotic diseases. The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is envisioned as a state-of-the-art biosafety level (BSL) 3 and 4 facility that will enable the United States to conduct comprehensive research, develop vaccines and antivirals, and provide enhanced diagnostic capabilities to protect our country from numerous foreign animal and emerging diseases. As a replacement to the aging Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), NBAF will provide additional capabilities that are not currently available in the United States, including BSL-4 space for livestock and a vaccine development module. The NBAF will be the nation’s only large animal BSL-4 facility built to safely handle pathogens that do not currently have treatments or countermeasures