Plan to create Scots science powerhouse is unveiled

Published on Tuesday 6 October 2009 21:58

TWO of Scotland's leading science institutes are to join forces to create Europe's foremost centre for research into food, land use and climate change, it was revealed yesterday.

The merger of the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) in Invergowrie, near Dundee, and the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (MLRI) in Aberdeen is aimed at establishing the unified centre as a "powerhouse" for environmental research and the first institute of its kind in Europe.

Richard Lochhead, Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, claimed that the proposed merger involving 600 staff, would strengthen the organisations' research capacity and global competitiveness.

Mr Lochhead said: "Scientific research is hugely important to our support for rural industries, our drive to grow the food and drink sector and our efforts to tackle global issues such as climate change and food security.

"Both SCRI and the Macaulay already enjoy well-deserved reputations for excellence. Together they will be in an even stronger position to compete in the international arena and to address complex global issues, further raising Scotland's profile on the world stage."