Just under £15 million is being invested in the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) through a joint venture with Capita and Newcastle University.
The move is aimed at expanding the agency's reputable scientific capability, and strengthening its role in food safety research.
It is hoped that the £14.5m investment will enable Fera to play an even greater role in helping to drive growth in the UK's £100bn agri-food industry.
The investment builds upon the £2.7m already committed by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to Defra's National Agri-Food Innovation Campus York, where Fera is based.
It is intended that the new joint venture will commence operating on 1 April 2015.
Hilary Aldridge, Fera CEO, said: 'This announcement is good news for Fera. We are a global leader in plant health, the agrifood supply chain and environmental sciences, and this enables us to grow from strength to strength. I am looking forward to working with Capita and Newcastle University to strengthen Fera's existing scientific quality and international reputation. This is an exciting time for our staff, customers and for Fera.'
Defra secretary Liz Truss, added: 'Fera has a significant presence in the agri-food market where it is already recognised as an internationally respected scientific organisation. As the joint venture partner, Capita, will bring valuable commercial expertise and experience enabling Fera to maximise its capabilities. The venture also includes the creation of a joint academic institute with Newcastle University aimed at advancing the understanding and application of science to practical agri-food problems.
'In bringing together the public sector, private sector and academia, the joint venture allows Fera to build on its reputation as an international centre of excellence and provide the invaluable scientific services that Defra and wider government will continue to require in the future.'
Fera's remit is to provide robust evidence, rigorous analysis and expert professional advice to government, international organisations and industry, in order to support and develop a sustainable and secure food chain.
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