Moredun reveals a busy show itinerary for Ingliston
Source: The Scottish Farmer
The Royal Highland Show remains one of the most important events in the calendar for the Moredun Research Institute to catch up with the farming community. Moredun will once again be welcoming farmers, vets, industry partners, policymakers and families to its marquee at this year’s show. Staff will be on hand across the four days to answer questions, share knowledge and discuss some of the major animal health issues facing Scotland’s livestock sector.
Rosie Stewart, Moredun Group
This year Moredun's programme carries some significant news. The institute will provide updates on the latest louping ill vaccine crowd-funding campaign, which has now successfully raised more than £1 million. This marks a major increase from the £100,000 raised last year and reflects the support from farmers, land managers, estates and wider sector for action on this important tick-borne disease.
Louping ill remains a serious disease affecting sheep and other species in parts of the UK. With ticks being reported in new areas and appearing earlier in the season, the need for practical tools to help manage this risk is becoming more urgent. The success of the campaign shows the value of doing things differently to provide farmers and vets with another practical tool in their toolkit to protect animal health and welfare and to support rural economies and food security.
The availability of other, already commercialised, vaccines will also be an important topic. Feedback from Moredun’s regional advisers across the UK continues to report that access to specific livestock vaccines remains a critical issue. Where products exist, supply is not meeting demand. In addition, where gaps exist, new products are not coming through quickly enough. Moredun recognises the severity of this issue and is committed to playing its part through research, evidence and continued dialogue with the sector. Separately, a new multimillion pound five-year Scottish Government funded research programme will support the longer-term work of developing new vaccines and disease control tools.
Moredun will also host the launch of the refreshed Scotland’s Animal Health, Aquaculture and Agritech Sector report, delivered with the James Hutton Institute and SRUC and co-funded by Scotland’s enterprise agencies and SEFARI Gateway.
For further information, please contact:
The Moredun Group
Pentlands Science Park
Bush Loan, Penicuik
Midlothian, EH26 0PZ
Park Manager: Linda Yuill
T: +44 (0)131 445 5111