Fields ahead in agriculture innovation
Scotland reaps the benefits of Scottish Government funding.
Scotland is leading the way in agricultural science and innovation thanks to Scottish Government funding, the Rural Affairs Secretary has said.
Richard Lochhead’s comments come as the UK Government launches its Agricultural Technologies Industrial Strategy.
The Scottish Government currently spends £30 million each year on agriculture research and knowledge exchange between government divisions, agencies, research institutes and universities.
Examples of how the Scottish Government funding is being spent include:
• £4 million annually on potato disease research to protect Scotland’s seed potato industry, which was worth an estimated £68 million in 2012
• research to help eradicate Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), saving the Scottish economy an estimated £50-80 million over ten years
• exploring commercial use of seaweed as a source of sustainable food ingredients.
Mr Lochhead said:
“Science and innovation are key to sustainable economic growth, and Scotland is, in many ways, leading the rest of the UK with regard to agricultural technology and innovation.
“The great work of those within the industry has led to commercial successes such as conventional crop breeding and livestock vaccine development. We also have strong agricultural exports which are recognised around the world for their high quality.
“Scotland already offers so much on this front and I encourage Scottish organisations to cooperate to make the most of any opportunities for additional funding to ensure they remain at the forefront of agricultural innovation.”
Professor Louise Heathwaite, Chief Scientific Adviser for Rural Affairs and the Environment said:
“The Scottish Government continues to fund a substantial portfolio of strategic and applied research at our research centres that is of direct relevance to the agricultural industry.
“This is closely linked to more fundamental work at the Scottish universities - both are of high quality which helps maintain Scotland's leading position in land based science.
“The Scottish Government will continue to work with its relevant partners to optimise the impact of these scientific efforts on agricultural innovation.”