A multi-million pound programme of strategic research delivered over five years providing science and evidence to support policymakers and its partners. Informed by strong partnerships and the needs of a broad range of stakeholders. Science at the heart of society contributing to the health, wealth and wellbeing of Scotland and beyond.
Protecting Plant and Animal Health to underpin our globally competitive economy and ambition to be a Good Food Nation
Committed to empowered, inclusive and resilient Rural Futures for Scotland’s rural and island communities
Protecting, valuing and optimising the multiple benefits we recieve from our vital Natural Resources
Supporting the large-scale and coordinated transition to net zero and reduction of Human Impacts on the Environment
Leading the way to a Sustainable Food System and Supply contributing to the economy, livelihoods and the health of Scotland
Ongoing research (2022-2027)
Displaying 71 - 80 of 185
Monitoring the environmental impact of controlled environment agriculture
Vertical farming is an emerging food manufacturing process with potential to change how food is produced and distributed in rural and (peri)urban areas. Reliable food production and significantly reduced inputs as well as waste makes the approach a prospectively valuable option for food producers. This project is establishing baseline energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and inputs and outputs for vertical farming and comparing them to alternative and established production systems.
Monitoring veterinary medicine usage to improve animal performance and efficiency
The project assesses the relationship between the medicines used in beef cattle, whether they are used appropriately, and the performance characteristics of the livestock.
Nitrogen deposition impacts in natural ecosystems
Nitrogen emitted from farming, industry and domestic sources impacts negatively on the wider countryside. This project examines the impacts of nitrogen deposition on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in Scottish natural habitats and the interactions between nitrogen impacts and climate change. Methods for monitoring nitrogen impacts will be developed and the potential for mitigation are explored.
Novel diagnostic tools for improved control, monitoring and prevention strategies for the key endemic diseases of livestock in Scotland
Development of novel tools and technologies for the improved control and prevention of economically-important conditions and diseases of livestock in Scotland. These include reproductive failure, lungworms, Johne’s disease, sheep scab, bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
Novel insights on Scotland’s rural and island economies
The unique characteristics, challenges, and aspirations of the local business base, and opportunities for community wealth building in rural and island communities are examined. We focus on understanding the role of economic infrastructure in prosperity and consider how future changes to agricultural support may impact the rural and island regions of Scotland.
Novel insights on Scotland’s rural and island economies
The unique characteristics, challenges, and aspirations of the local business base, and opportunities for community wealth building in rural and island communities are examined. We focus on understanding the role of economic infrastructure in prosperity and consider how future changes to agricultural support may impact the rural and island regions of Scotland.
Novel Multi-Sector Approaches to Provenance and Food Tracking for use in Distributed Ledger Protocols
This project is designed to develop Distributed Ledger (blockchain) compatible methods – based on DNA and chemical analysis – to determine provenance across key Scottish produce and sectors to protect the safety, integrity, and quality of the food chain and the environment and the status of key Scottish produce. It is pertinent to the UK's EU exit and large-scale shifts in international food trade.
Novel vaccines to combat significant endemic diseases of livestock in Scotland: Gastrointestinal nematode parasites of ruminants
The aim of this project is to develop highly effective, optimised, safe, novel vaccines for the control of the most production- and welfare-limiting endemic diseases of Scottish livestock caused by parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes.
Novel vaccines to combat significant endemic diseases of livestock in Scotland: Vaccine Delivery Platforms
This project is developing highly effective, optimised, safe, novel vaccines for the control of some of the most production- and welfare-limiting endemic diseases of Scottish livestock.
Novel vaccines to combat significant endemic diseases of livestock in Scotland: Vaccines for reproductive diseases
This project is developing vaccines to control reproductive diseases in sheep and cattle.