Genomics and disease surveillance – What it means for farm business resilience

By Andrew Heskin, Partner and ARA specialist

Farming businesses across the UK face mounting pressure, not only from fluctuating markets and policy changes but also from the economic toll of pests and diseases.

The Government’s recent announcement of £10 million in funding for a new national disease surveillance project shows how serious the risks are becoming to both the food supply and rural economies.

A new approach to biosecurity

The Genomics for Animal and Plant Disease Consortium (GAP-DC) will use cutting-edge genome sequencing to improve early detection and tracking of harmful pathogens across livestock, crops, and aquatic environments.

Led by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha), the project will run for two years, in partnership with research institutions and industry bodies.

This kind of technology has already proved its worth in dealing with outbreaks like avian influenza.

Rapid genome sequencing allows scientists to trace the source, identify mutations and support targeted containment, buying time that’s crucial for farmers.

The cost of inaction

The financial impact of diseases on farming businesses is significant:

· Avian influenza has cost the poultry sector over £100 million in just two years

· Ash dieback is expected to cost the UK up to £15 billion in the coming decades

· Invasive species cost the UK economy £4 billion per year

· Crop pathogens continue to drive widespread yield losses

While Government funding aims to boost national resilience, individual farms still face real operational and financial exposure.

These challenges hit both profitability and cash flow.

What farmers can do now

This new investment in biosecurity is welcome, but it also highlights the need for farmers to build financial and operational resilience into their businesses.

Stress test your business

Use forecasting tools to model what an outbreak or disruption could mean for income, costs and tax exposure. Identify weak points and gaps in insurance, savings, or contingency planning.

Build a disease response budget

Set aside capital or credit headroom to deal with unplanned disease-related expenses, from housing changes to vet bills or culling and restocking costs.

Review insurance coverage

Make sure your policies reflect the current level of risk.

Not all policies include business interruption cover from disease-related events, so review exclusions carefully.

Account for delays and disruption

Pathogen outbreaks often trigger supply chain or regulatory delays.

Factor this into cash flow planning, particularly if you are involved in poultry, horticulture, or dairy sectors where margins are tight.

Consider grant opportunities

Keep an eye on Defra’s equipment and tech grants, as funding may now cover digital or biosecurity upgrades that support the aims of the GAP-DC project.

The bigger picture – Risk management as business strategy

With rising cases of avian flu, soil pathogens and invasive pests, disease risk has become a constant pressure for farm businesses. While the science behind GAP-DC will undoubtedly improve national response, the financial resilience of your business starts at farm level.

Concerned about the impact of disease risk on your farm finances? Talk to us today for practical, forward-looking advice.