Animal and Plant Health Agency

In England, and indeed across the United Kingdom, the health of our animals and plants is intrinsically linked to our economy, environment, and even public health. While many local veterinary clinics focus on individual pet care, there exists a larger, critical organisation dedicated to safeguarding the broader animal and plant health landscape: the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). For individuals and businesses within the UK, particularly those involved in agriculture, livestock, or the import/export of animals and plants, understanding the pivotal role of APHA is essential. It is not a typical veterinary clinic for household pets, but rather a vital government executive agency working behind the scenes to protect the nation.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), also working on behalf of the Scottish and Welsh Governments. Its overarching mission is to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment, and the economy. This includes identifying and controlling endemic and exotic diseases and pests, conducting scientific research, facilitating international trade, and protecting endangered wildlife. While the public might not interact with APHA in the same way they would a local vet for a sick cat or dog, their work directly impacts the safety of our food chain, the health of our livestock, and the resilience of our natural environment.

The specific address provided for the Animal and Plant Health Agency is Whitley Rd, Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9SE, UK. It is important to reiterate that this is not a public-facing veterinary clinic for routine pet appointments. Instead, this location serves as one of APHA's operational centres, likely housing scientific laboratories, administrative offices, or a field operations base. APHA operates across multiple sites throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Weybridge, Surrey. Therefore, while this Newcastle upon Tyne address is a valid point of contact for the agency, it is generally not a place where the general public would visit for veterinary consultations for their personal pets.

For official communications or specific regulatory matters related to animal and plant health, the provided phone numbers (0300 303 8269 or +44 300 303 8269) serve as the primary direct contact for their various services. As a government agency, APHA aims to be accessible through official channels for reporting notifiable diseases, seeking guidance on import/export regulations, or engaging with their scientific and regulatory functions. The strategic location of their various offices and laboratories, including the one in Longbenton, supports their nationwide surveillance, diagnostic, and response capabilities, enabling them to effectively cover the diverse agricultural and environmental landscapes of England and the wider UK.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) provides a wide array of services, primarily focused on national animal and plant health, rather than individual pet care. Their key functions include:

• Disease Surveillance and Control: Identifying and controlling endemic and exotic diseases in animals (e.g., avian influenza, foot and mouth disease, bovine TB) and pests in plants and bees. This includes investigating and responding to outbreaks.
• Scientific Research and Diagnostics: Conducting cutting-edge scientific research into bacterial, viral, prion, and parasitic diseases, developing vaccines, and acting as an international reference laboratory for many farm animal diseases. They offer diagnostic testing services to detect various animal diseases.
• Facilitating International Trade: Issuing export health certificates for animals and products of animal origin, and plants, to ensure safe and compliant international trade.
• Protecting Endangered Wildlife: Through licensing and registration related to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
• Bee Health Management: Managing a programme of apiary inspections, diagnostics, research and development, and providing training and advice to beekeepers to maintain honey bee health.
• Regulation of Animal By-Products: Ensuring the safe disposal of animal by-products to minimise the risk of disease transmission and protect the food chain.
• Plant Health Inspectorate: Protecting against harmful plant pests and diseases, often responding to public reports of suspected invasive species.
• Disease Alert Service: Providing updates and information on the latest developments regarding animal diseases to relevant stakeholders and the public.
• Veterinary Field Services: Field veterinarians and inspectors investigate animal disease incidents, carry out surveillance, and enforce animal health and welfare regulations on farms and at borders.

• National Safeguard for Animal and Plant Health: APHA is the primary UK government agency responsible for protecting the nation from various threats posed by animal diseases and plant pests, critical for biosecurity and public health.
• World-Class Scientific Expertise: The agency is home to leading scientists and researchers, operating advanced laboratories (like the one in Weybridge) that are internationally recognised for their contributions to veterinary science and disease control.
• Rapid Emergency Response Capability: APHA plays a crucial role in responding swiftly to disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza, to contain their spread and mitigate impact on agriculture and the wider environment.
• Comprehensive Surveillance Network: They operate extensive surveillance programmes to monitor existing diseases and identify new and emerging threats to animal and plant health.
• Support for UK Agriculture and Trade: By controlling diseases and facilitating safe trade, APHA directly supports the economic viability of the UK's farming industry and its international trade relations.
• Commitment to Biosecurity: A core function is to enhance biosecurity measures across the country, protecting the integrity of our animal populations and food supply.
• Public Education and Engagement: While primarily a regulatory and scientific body, APHA also provides public guidance on reporting notifiable diseases and steps individuals can take to protect animal and plant health (e.g., preventing the spread of plant diseases).

Address: Whitley Rd, Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9SE, UK

Phone: 0300 303 8269

Mobile Phone: +44 300 303 8269

For residents of England, particularly those in the agricultural sector, involved in animal movements, or with a general interest in national biosecurity, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an absolutely essential and highly suitable entity to be aware of. While it is crucial to understand that APHA is not a local veterinary clinic for individual pet owners – for that, one would visit a local private practice – its role in safeguarding the wider animal and plant health of the UK has a profound and direct impact on everyone's daily lives, from the food on our tables to the health of our environment.

The agency's work in disease surveillance, control of outbreaks, and scientific research means that the risk of devastating animal diseases (which could impact livestock and potentially humans) is continuously being managed. For farmers and those involved in animal and plant trade, APHA is the authority providing crucial guidance, regulations, and certifications. Its comprehensive approach to protecting against threats to animal and plant health ultimately benefits local communities by supporting a healthy agricultural economy, protecting the environment, and contributing to public health. Therefore, while you wouldn't take your pet for a routine check-up to APHA's Newcastle upon Tyne office, knowing about and understanding the critical functions of this agency is vital for anyone in England who cares about the health of the nation's animals, plants, and by extension, themselves.

Animal and Plant Health Agency

Whitley Rd, Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9SE, UK