The Three A’s of innovation - Agritech, Animal Health and Aquaculture

Ahead of this year’s A3 Scotland Conference in Inverness, we thought we’d highlight a few examples of how we contribute to the Agritech, Animal Health and Aquaculture sector. A sector key to innovation in Scotland which is supporting a sustainable future for our communities, places and environment.

Exploiting plant pathogen biology for future disease control

Agriculture faces many challenges, including a warming climate, more frequent occurrence of extreme climate events and increased incidence and severity of crop diseases. Control of plant diseases with major resistance genes has not always proven durable and application of crop protection chemicals is becoming problematic with the development of pathogen insensitivity to the chemicals, as well as increased regulation.

What does Regenerative Farming mean for you?

The GO Falkland event came back for its second year, after last year’s success, offering a thought-provoking two-day programme, packed with talks and panel discussions by representatives of the land-based industries in Scotland, policymakers, and scientists – all providing their perspective on regenerative land use in Scotland and beyond.

Plant and Animal Health lay summaries

Lay summaries for the projects within the Plant and Animal Health research theme. This document summarises the work ongoing to protect and develop high quality agricultural crops and livestock to underpin Scotland's growing food sector. The work is required to provide confidence against a background of uncertainty generated by climate change, shifting world trade patterns and the spread of diseases and pests.

Go Falkland 2024

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event,GO Falkland is being held at Falkland Estate over two days on 17th and 18th July with a vibrant fringe of smaller venues and exhibitor spaces, local food and drinks, music and more. Led by farmers and those who work the land, the event creates a space to co-design and collaborate on creating a healthier and fairer future for Scotland’s land use and food system. More info is available at https://falklandestate.co.uk/go-falkland/.

17-18 July 2024 -

Sorry, this event has already happened. Have a look at our upcoming events.

Foodborne toxoplasmosis: a study of retail meat

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that impacts human and animal health worldwide. Infection in humans is usually very mild, however, there can be severe or life-threatening disease in immune compromised people or pregnant women. Toxoplasma also impacts the livestock sector where it can cause abortion in sheep and goats. Foodborne transmission of T. gondii is thought to be a major source of infection in people, particularly the consumption of raw or undercooked meat.

Developing a novel vaccine to protect sheep from chlamydial abortion

The bacterial pathogen Chlamydia abortus is responsible for causing the disease ovine enzootic abortion (OEA), also known as enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE). It is the most common infectious cause of reproductive loss (causing abortion usually in the last three weeks of pregnancy) in sheep in Scotland and the UK, as well as being common throughout the world. 

Biosecurity, sustainable livestock parasite control and messaging

Roundworms and sheep scab mites are common throughout the UK and threaten the health, welfare and productivity of grazing livestock. Infections are commonly controlled using organophosphate dips and/or anthelmintics.  The development and dissemination of resistance to these compounds and variation in the epidemiology of roundworms resulting from changes in climate and farm management are making the sustainable control of these parasites more challenging, particularly roundworms.