On June 23-24, 150 key leaders met in Manhattan to discuss the future research activities and operations of the National Bio and Agro-defense facility, or NBAF.

This was a summit with livestock producers and the animal health industry about science, synergy and security. It was an industry-focused, invitational-only summit that provided a centralized location for livestock producers, animal health industry leaders, researchers and policymakers to start discussions about how NBAF will work with the community and develop a strong working relationship between government and industry before the federal laboratory begins its operations.

As a way to expand the conversation, the U. S. Department of Homeland Security added NBAF to its Science and Technology National Conversation seriese. The bio/agrosecurity-focused topic is designed to build on the dialog begun at the summit.

The summit is the first in a series designed to bring together NBAF’s key stakeholders.