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Research

Research

A multi-million pound programme of strategic research delivered over five years providing science and evidence to support policymakers and its partners. Informed by strong partnerships and the needs of a broad range of stakeholders. Science at the heart of society contributing to the health, wealth and wellbeing of Scotland and beyond.

Plant and Animal Health

Protecting Plant and Animal Health to underpin our globally competitive economy and ambition to be a Good Food Nation

Sustainable Food Supply System

Leading the way to a Sustainable Food System and Supply contributing to the economy, livelihoods and the health of Scotland

Human Impacts on the Environment

Supporting the large-scale and coordinated transition to net zero and reduction of Human Impacts on the Environment

Natural Resources

Protecting, valuing and optimising the multiple benefits we recieve from our vital Natural Resources

Rural Futures

Committed to empowered, inclusive and resilient Rural Futures for Scotland’s rural and island communities

Ongoing research (2022-2027)

Displaying 11 - 20 of 36
Mapping major supply chains within the Scottish food and drink industry

This project maps major food supply chains both within Scotland and those where Scottish industries are heavily involved to improve our understanding of how hey operate. To achieve this aim, we propose a methodology to be able to update changes in the maps, a modelled analysis of individual sectors that demonstrates where value is created, added, and lost during the supply chain, and to use the modelled analysis to simulate various scenarios whereby the value in the supply chain could be increased and distributed in Scotland among producers and processors. 

  • Food & Drink Improvements
  • 2022-2027
Modelling the current and future greenhouse gas emissions and wider impacts in the Scottish beef, sheep and dairy sectors

This project is developing better targeted greenhouse has policies and industry initiatives, thus contributing to achieving Scotland’s net zero goal and reductions in the emissions intensity of Scottish food commodities. It combines scientific modelling and national scale data to improve the prediction of future greenhouse gas emission reduction scenarios in agricultural production, the cost-effectiveness of solutions and their wider environmental impacts. The specific focus of the project is ruminant systems, given their importance in Scottish agriculture, however, the tools and analyses...

  • Large Scale Models
  • 2022-2027
Modelling the socio-economic, greenhouse gas and natural capital impacts of land use policy and opportunities (2)

This project is increasing our understanding of the impacts of land-based funding mechanisms on land values, and related outcomes for landownership diversification and land use change. The project incorporates regional case studies and qualitative, quantitative and spatial analysis methods. It provides recommendations for policy interventions and land-based funding models which are aligned with both land use and land reform policy.

  • Natural Capital
  • 2022-2027
Modelling the socioeconomic, greenhouse gas and natural capital impacts of land use policy and opportunities (1)

This project applies different modelling approaches to assess opportunities and impacts of land use in Scotland. Synergies and conflicts in land use policy are explored to identify how multiple objectives can be achieved. The greenhouse gas inventory is being disaggregated to holding level to identify hotspots for emissions and mitigation potential. Farm business models are scaled up to regional levels to identify patterns of responses to policy and management change. And, natural capital is modelled spatially to explore ecosystem service supply and opportunities. 

  • Land Use
  • 2022-2027
Nitrogen deposition impacts in natural ecosystems

Nitrogen emitted from farming, industry and domestic sources impacts negatively on the wider countryside. This project examines the impacts of nitrogen deposition on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in Scottish natural habitats and the interactions between nitrogen impacts and climate change. Methods for monitoring nitrogen impacts will be developed and the potential for mitigation are explored.

  • Air Quality
  • 2022-2027
Opportunities for Scottish food industries in existing and new markets

Using large datasets related to trade, launching of products, and consumer purchases, this project is studying current trends in markets relevant for the Scottish food and drink sector. 

  • Food & Drink Improvements
  • 2022-2027
Pathways to healthy and sustainable diets: identifying facilitators, barriers and unintended consequences of switching to a more plant-based diet

We explore dietary choices people make when they switch to a more plant-based diet. Plant-based diets are viewed as healthier and sustainable, but little is known about the plant-based foods people choose in place of meat and why. We conduct a series of studies to explore personal and social barriers, both perceived and real, to eating less meat and the health and environmental impacts when meat consumption and purchasing patterns vary.

  • Food & Drink Improvements
  • 2022-2027
Practical on-farm solutions for welfare and sustainability: solutions to chronic welfare problems

Agricultural practice is plagued by intractable and challenging welfare issues, which are increasingly the focus of consumer attention and legislative restrictions, such as separation of mothers and offspring, use of painful procedures, chronic disease issues and the confinement of animals in limited space or with limited opportunities to express natural behaviour. This work seeks to resolve these chronic issues through adoption of new techniques, novel approaches and implementation of innovative technology. 

  • Animal Welfare
  • 2022-2027
Risk-benefit analysis of Scottish seaweeds as a sustainable food source
colourful seaweed floating on the surface of water

The project aims to test the evidence that Scottish seaweeds can provide rich, sustainable, plant-based sources of essential dietary micronutrients with an eventual goal to include these as dietary ingredients within foods. A key driver for this research is the need to provide alternative, sustainable sources of micronutrients which will decrease as practices transform to address the climate emergency and the need to achieve Net Zero. This project will determine levels of micronutrients as well heavy metals within selected Scottish seaweed species, and therefore aims to identify seaweed...

  • Human Nutrition
  • 2022-2027
Tools and technologies: development of new populations, genotyping tools and methods for trait dissection to support horticultural crop improvement, sustainability and resilience

Crop production in Scotland faces many threats. Varieties that withstand the many challenges’ growers face are essential. We are using novel plant populations and tools that examine behaviour under complex stresses and plants’ genetic content to develop high quality resilient crops, reduce inputs and allow the Scottish population to locally source more fruit and vegetables.

  • Crop Improvement
  • 2022-2027

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