Food security plus for straitened Moredun

FOOD security may be back up the political agenda and that is good news for research scientists solving the challenges to producing more food but it comes at a time when there is also financial pressure on the research institutes.

Yesterday Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, chief executive of the Moredun, the world renowned animal disease research base based at the Pentlands Science Park on the south side of Edinburgh, gave an upbeat view of the central critical role the institute would play in producing more food both sustainably and efficiently.

But she admitted that economically it was tough, with expenditure continuing to rise while income was difficult to maintain even at current levels.

The Moredun receives about one-third of its annual income directly from the Scottish Government and this has been flat-lining for some time. She emphasised how much she and the scientific community appreciated the support of the Scottish Government in these straitened time – but the reality was research bases such as the Moredun were increasingly having to get more cash from grants and commercial enterprises. This had caused a problem last year with Moredun having to make seven members of staff redundant as well as cut direct ties and support with a veterinary support organisation, Vetaid, working in Africa.

However, Professor Willie Donachie, managing director of Moredun Scientific which spearheads the commercial arm of the institute, said that outside sources of funding in the current year had risen and four extra staff had been taken on.

Fitzpatrick said that, with funding tight, it was important for research work to be prioritised. In all analysis of the work ahead, food production featured highly and so the work of the Moredun would now be to “produce tangible outputs”, she told staff

She also emphasised the partnership approach now being required by research community.

The institute also announced that Professor Sandy Trees will be its new chairman, following farmer and former rugby player John Jeffrey, who had held the position from 2004.

Trees trained as a vet in Edinburgh and worked in practice before going to the University of Liverpool’s faculty for veterinary science where he retired as dean of the faculty three years ago.

Although he spent most of his career in academia, he emphasised his strong connections with practical farming and with the animal disease problems faced by those in livestock production.

The Moredun also announced the launch of new scholarships with awards of up to £1,000 each to three successful candidates. The qualifications for these awards have been widely set, covering livestock health and welfare, and can be used to help fund travel, work experience or research. Application forms can be downloaded from the Moredun website.