Landmark merger set to put Scottish science on the map

The Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) and the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute have agreed in principle to unite, and the resulting body will be the first of its kind in Europe.

Chairman of the SCRI governing board Peter Berry CMG, said: “My board were united that this new venture will be able to undertake research of global importance and will once again demonstrate to the world the excellence of Scottish science and innovation.

“It is one of the things for which Scotland is rightly famous. SCRI and the Macaulay already share many areas of common interest; together we will bring scientific excellence with delivery.”

The SCRI, based at Invergowrie, Dundee, employs around 300 staff and has an income of nearly £17 million. Its scientists work on potato and soft fruit breeding, pests and disease control, food quality, plant-land interactions and genetics

The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, based in Aberdeen, also employs around 300 staff and has an income of over £16 million and has expertise in land use and sustainable development.

The two institutes currently receive around £23 million a year from the Scottish Government and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead welcomed the proposed merger.

He said: “Scientific research is hugely important to our support for rural industries, our drive to grow the food and drink sector and our efforts to tackle global issues such as climate change and food security.

“Both SCRI and the Macaulay already enjoy well-deserved reputations for excellence. Together they will be in an even stronger position to compete in the international arena and to address complex global issues, further raising Scotland’s profile on the world stage.”

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