10/04/08
SAC has joined a world class consortium of leading animal science
researchers at the Easter Bush Research Consortium (EBRC), which
was launched earlier this week.
Professor Bill McKelvey, SAC Chief Executive and Principal
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The EBRC will enhance Scotland’s world leading status in
animal science by providing a unique blend of scientific expertise
with intellectual critical mass and state-of-the-art facilities
to address major issues in animal bioscience for the benefit of
animals and humans.
Joining the Consortium will further strengthen SAC’s activities
to bring practical benefits to farmers and consumers by working
more closely with the other Consortium partners. SAC has an extensive
research programme including avian sciences, animal genetics, behaviour
and welfare, livestock systems, epidemiology and economics. SAC’s
research is multidisciplinary. We already work closely with our
EBRC partners, for example in the development and promotion into
practice of genetic selection indexes which have been developed
between SAC, the University of Edinburgh and the Roslin Institute.
Professor Bill McKelvey, SAC Chief Executive and Principal speaking
at the launch, drew attention to a number of increasingly important
issues in society including the food supply agenda, climate change,
and animal health and welfare.
Professor McKelvey commented, “This Consortium will herald
in a new era of research and cooperation for SAC. This consolidation
of effort can only benefit Scotland’s land owners, farmers
and the public. SAC is actively researching epidemiology, looking
at the effects of climate change on diseases, in particular the
potential spread of Foot and Mouth Disease and the Blue Tongue
virus. SAC is also undertaking essential research work in other
areas vital for farmers, such as practical assessments of livestock
welfare and identifying the prevalence of E. coli.”
Professor John Oldham, Head of Research & Development at SAC
said, “The formation of this Consortium is good news for
Scotland, and emphasises our position as a world class livestock
research centre. Members of the Consortium are already leading
the way in the application of genetics in livestock improvement,
the enhancement of animal welfare and the control of animal diseases.
By bringing together scientists with strengths in both the basic
and applied disciplines SAC, and the EBRC partners, will be in
an even stronger position to enhance the lives of animals and the
people who work with them.”
The EBRC is comprised of SAC, the Roslin Institute, the Royal (Dick)
School of Veterinary Studies and the Moredun Research Institute
and will bring together four of Scotland’s leading livestock
research organisations.
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