Reports

Authors: Peter M. Hollingsworth, David O’Brien and Rob Ogden.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, The University of Edinburgh

For more information visit the research page here: Evaluation and mitigation of mycotoxin contamination across the Scottish cereal supply chain to assess human exposure and inform risk anal

The number of new largescale community land acquisitions has slowed over the past ten years. Largely, respondents in this research suggested this was less to do with a decrease in demand, but rather an increase in barriers to acquisition. Barriers identified by respondents were:

Toxoplasma gondii is widely regarded as a classic One Health parasite because its impact spans human health, animal health, and the environment. The most recent data from Public Health Scotland shows 47 laboratory-confirmed human cases of toxoplasmosis in 2023, continuing a steady rise over the past decade.

SEFARIGateway and NatureScot, have commissioned research to study how Scotland’s Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) could support a just transition to sustainable and regenerative agriculture. 

Authors: Cait MacPhee -The University of Edinburgh, Aiduan Borridon - University College London, Lorna Dawson - The James Hutton Institute, Stijn Van Ewijk - University College London, Rupert Hough - The James Hutton Institute, Gavin Melaugh - The University of Edinburgh, Frances Sandison - The James Hutton Institut

Report by the James Hutton Institute and SEFARI Gateway

Author: Rupert Hough

Mandatory End of Project report for RI-B7-01. Approved by RESAS on 09 March 2026

Peat has long been a major ingredient in UK horticulture, but with its use declining and public interest in sustainable alternatives rising, there is increasing demand for clear, trustworthy information about growing media.

The Scottish Government is committed to tackling climate change with an ambitious target of 2045 for Scotland to reach net zero emissions for all greenhouse gases.  As part of this transition new uses need to be found for sites such as the Grangemouth refinery to secure a just transition for the lo

An online tool is being developed using artificial intelligence to provide convenient access to biosecurity advice for farmers. Initial development and testing of the proof of concept has produced a shiny app 

Available at: https://epidemiology.sruc.ac.uk/shiny/apps/bitesize-biosecurity/

This report presents the results from an online survey commissioned by SEFARI on behalf of the Scottish Government to assess the current coverage and capabilities of the Land Use and Natural Capital modelling and tools used and in development by the research community in Scotland.

Human-induced climate change is driving increasingly severe weather in the UK, threatening the long-term viability of Scotland’s land-based industries.