A modern laboratory facility has been a long-standing necessity for LABRIS. This summer’s African swine fever (ASF) outbreak highlighted that the centre is currently operating at full capacity, making this investment essential.
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, stated that LABRIS’s contribution to the detection of outbreak cases during this year’s extensive ASF crisis has been significant, considering the centre’s current capabilities. “We want to strengthen the centre’s capacity to prevent and manage food safety crises, as a robust laboratory service enables swift and safe responses. Crises are prepared for in times of peace, and we must do our utmost to ensure laboratory capacity is available when most needed,” the minister added.
Terras noted that €1.8 million has been allocated in the state budget over the next two years for the design of the building. “According to current estimates, construction will cost around €30 million. I hope that both the design and construction will progress smoothly, and that Estonia’s laboratory capabilities will reach a new level in the coming years,” he said.
According to LABRIS Director Heli Reinet, the funding decision is extremely welcome news: “We deeply value the contributions of the minister, the ministry, and the government in reaching this important decision.” Reinet emphasized that the new facility will be a key step toward maintaining and advancing modern on-site laboratory services: “We will have the opportunity to invest in new technologies to strengthen our laboratory’s capacity in areas critical to the state. Results obtained with sufficiently sensitive and precise analytical methods give confidence to both the state and food producers to make legally sound decisions and to manage crises more effectively,” the director said.
LABRIS is administered and within the area of governance of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture. Its service portfolio includes over 250 internationally recognized and accredited methodologies. In many areas, LABRIS is the only authorized provider of laboratory services in Estonia – for example, in the detection of dangerous animal diseases, food and feed pathogens, pathogen characterization, food labeling analysis, veterinary drug residues and pesticide analysis, and alcohol safety and quality testing.
In addition to offering a wide range of laboratory services for the state and for businesses in the agricultural and food sector, LABRIS also collects data and prepares science-based risk assessments, expert opinions, analytical reports, and reviews in the fields of food safety and animal health.
