This report presents key findings from a project which aimed to provide a better understanding of the use of seasonal workers of non-UK origin in Scottish agriculture. Evidence was collected from a range of sources including Scottish Government administrative data, surveys of farmers and seasonal migrant workers, farmer and wider stakeholder interviews, and group interviews with seasonal migrant workers.
This report summarises the research done from May 2016 to March 2018 regarding aligning delivery
mechanisms that act on natural assets (biodiversity, soil and water).
The SEFARI Gateway is delighted to launch our 2018 call for applications to our Responsive Opportunity Fund. The Responsive Opportunity Fund is designed to increase the visibility of the invaluable contributions the Strategic Research Programme makes towards sustainable economic growth and improving the lives of people in Scotland and beyond.
A summary of research outputs supported or facilitated by the Environmental Change Programme of the Scottish Government’s Portfolio of Strategic Research 2011-2016
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An important considera on, given the high targets for emissions reduction and habitat restoration, is to consider where peatland conservation on and restoration on may be most desirable. To aid this process, a decision support tool has been developed that summarises all of the information on that is available at the national scale on peatland locations and various condition indicators.
Peatland drainage in Scotland has been carried out for over a century, to prepare peatland for afforestation, agricultural or grouse moorland use. Drainage leads to peatland degradation and carbon release, in the form of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and the release of carbon into waterways. There are few records remaining of where drainage has taken place in Scotland, although this information is vital to enable accurate emissions accounting in the UK GHG Inventory and to assess priority areas to fulfil the ambitious peatland restoration and rewetting targets in the Climate Change Plan.
By applying our unique skills in sheep immunology, we have discovered that BTV can infect and kill the very cells that stimulate the production of antibodies, This was the first description of such mechanism in a sheep disease and provides a unique perspective on how arboviruses can cause rapid and fatal diseases. ​
SEFARI aims to deliver ‘Leading Ideas for Better Lives’, reflecting that publicly funded research in Scotland must ultimately deliver positive impact for individuals, whether in Scotland or elsewhere. Whilst this work takes place across a number of sectors, this briefing focuses on examples of environmental research funded within the SRP.
