Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 29th June 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

New research hub will focus on food security
royal dick school of veterinary studies
The academy will be based at the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Edinburgh's global academy aims to equip future leaders for challenges ahead
 
A new hub for teaching and research in Edinburgh will focus on global food security, aiming to give future leaders the skills and knowledge to face the challenges ahead.

The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security will be based at the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

As well as leading world-class research on food security, sustainable rural development and the wellbeing of animals and people, the hub will offer undergraduate and postgraduate training, educational activities and resources. It will also draw on expertise from the schools of medicine, biological sciences, geosciences and informatics.

Professor Geoff Simm, current vice principal research at Scotland's Rural College, is set to lead the academy. He will take up his post as assistant principal and director on 1 October, 2016.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: "Food security is about ensuring a supply of safe, nutritious and affordable food, for all people, at all times. This is a massively complex challenge, with health, environmental, economic, political, cultural and behavioural, as well as agricultural, dimensions.
 
"The University and partners can make even greater interdisciplinary, academic contributions, across many schools and existing Global Academies, as well as having global practical impact.
 
"I look forward to leading the new Global Academy to be a catalyst for these contributions in future, delivering excellent science in global agriculture and food security, promoting translation into practice through education of future leaders, and through collaborative research and knowledge exchange."

Image © University of Edinburgh

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.