Research at APHA

Much of APHA’s scientific activity is focused on protecting the UK against the threat and impact of a wide variety of plant and animal diseases and other species conflicts. Many of these diseases are zoonotic, which means the infection is transmitted from animals to humans.

Our research provides scientific evidence that allows us to provide expert advice and supports policy development for the government, devolved administrations, the European Union, United Nations Food and Agriculture Authority (FAO), the World Association for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in our capacity as international reference centre for a large range of diseases.

Staff from APHA also work with academia, industry, farmers, vets and managers in the field and undertake surveillance activities to detect and respond to exotic diseases, and to identify and assess new and emerging diseases in livestock and wildlife. Read our guidance on animal disease scanning surveillance at APHA for more information on our expertise and activities.

The agency undertakes a broad range of research on a range variety of plant, animal and wildlife diseases including emerging pathogens, endemic and exotic viral diseases, bovine TB, food-borne bacteria and antimicrobial resistance.