This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Opening of £2.5m glasshouse complex
04/06/2004
A £2.5 million glasshouse complex to be used for
research into new disease control measures and new methods
for protecting crops was opened today.
The experimental glasshouse complex at the Scottish Crop
Research Institute (SCRI) in Invergowrie, Dundee will be
used in research to develop methods of protection for crop
plants against attack by pests, pathogens and weeds.
Internationally recognised research conducted at SCRI is
helping to improve plant varieties, increase resistance to
pests and diseases, enhance the health benefits and
flavour of food and assess the environmental impact of
agriculture.
Speaking at the SCRI's Open Day, Deputy Environment
& Rural Development Minister Allan Wilson said:
"Scotland is a world leader in plant science. We are
committed to supporting that work, and to ensuring that
Scottish agriculture is well placed to take advantage of
the innovations coming out of our research institutes.
"SCRI's important work on crop improvement, plant health
and diseases is internationally renowned. The work
undertaken at this new facility will help to develop
innovative methods for control, reducing the need for
chemical sprays currently applied to crops and developing
sustainable agriculture and horticulture.
"The £2.5 million we are investing in this new facility
is part of our commitment to enhance our science base, give
Scottish agriculture a competitive edge and protect the
environment."
The Scottish Crop Research Institute was founded in
1981 through the amalgamation of the Scottish Plant
Breeding Station (SPBS) at Pentlandfield, Edinburgh with
the Scottish Horticultural Research Institute (SHRI) which
already existed at Invergowrie.
The Institute's remit is to contribute to crop research
in the UK, and in particular to exploit the advantages, and
to solve the problems of crop production in Northern
Britain through plant breeding, improved cultural practices
and improved environmentally sensitive systems of crop
production and crop protection, together with their
associated sciences.
The Institute receives the majority of its annual income
from SEERAD. In the current financial year SEERAD has
allocated grant-in-aid of £10.29m. SEERAD has provided
funding of approximately £2.5 million of funding since 2002
for the construction of the new glasshouse complex.
SEERAD has funded this project as part of its programme
of Agricultural, Biological and Related Research. More
information on the SEERAD research programme can be found
at
www.scotland.gov.uk/abrg.