UC-Davis shutters 59-year-old diagnostics lab

Fresno, Calif.

-- In a matter of weeks, the University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) will close the Fresno branch of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory system, which it has managed since 1987.

Closure of the 59-year-old laboratory -- which provides diagnostic services for livestock, poultry and horse diseases -- will shift diagnostic testing to other facilities in the laboratory system.

UC-Davis's decision to close the lab July 19 is just one measure it is taking to tighten its budget, since the school is looking at $1.8 million funding reduction for the next school year.

This, combined with rising costs and a reduction in a state Department of Food and Agriculture contract that has provided the lab with 80 percent of its revenue, have created a more than $2 million deficit for next year.

The closure will affect more than 20 employees, resulting in the reassignment of three faculty positions to the system's labs in Tulare and Davis and the lay-off of the remaining scientific and administrative personnel, according to the school. The laboratory system also has eliminated nearly 15 positions through faculty and staff attrition at its Davis, San Bernadino and Turlock labs.