Millions invested in ‘neglected research’

Yorkshire businesses have attracted a share of almost £18 million for research projects aimed at improving food production.

Fifteen agri-tech projects are being awarded funding from government and industry to support the growth of the agricultural science and technology sectors, an industry which employs nearly four million people in the UK.

The University of Sheffield and Fera (the Food and Environment Research Agency) based near York is among a group of organisations awarded funding for research into improving the efficiency and reducing environmental harm of fertiliser production.

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Bradford-based supermarket chain Morrisons receives a sum towards a project into breeding tastier lamb with less waste by scanning live animals, in partnership with Scotland’s Rural College.

While Hull-based McCain Foods will contribute towards research into antimicrobial technology to control disease in potato production, and RAFT Solutions, Ripon, has been awarded funding for a collaborative project to develop technology which would automatically monitor pigs for the early detection of health and welfare problems.

Richard Pearson, regional director of the National Farmers’ Union, welcomed the investment: “For too long agricultural research has been neglected and the industry has in some regards been treading water. In Yorkshire we have leading universities, research stations, food businesses and a diverse and successful agricultural industry, which given the right financial and political support can work together to generate the sustainable intensification required to help feed the growing world population, limit the effects of climate change and at the same time stimulate our county’s rural economy.”

The 15 projects will receive £12.1m funding from government with a further £5.7m contributed by industry.