Difference between revisions of "Scottish Crop Research Institute"

From Powerbase
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(30 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
The [http://www.scri.sari.ac.uk/SCRI/web/site/home/home.asp Scottish Crop Research Institute] (SCRI) is an agricultural research centre based at Invergowrie, near Dundee, employing over 350 staff. It has an income in excess of £13m, the majority from public funding. However, its corporate backing is disclosed neither on its website nor to enquirers.
+
{{Template:Foodspin badge}}
  
−
However, it does provide a list of [http://www.scri.sari.ac.uk/posters/PosterGallery.php publications] which bear the mark of their sponsorship, these include:
+
The '''Scottish Crop Research Institute''' (SCRI) is an agricultural research centre based at Invergowrie, near Dundee, employing over 350 staff. It has an income in excess of £13m, the majority from public funding. However, its corporate backing is disclosed neither on its website nor to enquirers.
  
−
''A Functional Approach to Modelling Biodiversity'' — sponsored by [[Rothamsted Research]] and [http://www.syngenta.com/en/about_syngenta/board_of_directors.aspx Syngenta] whose board includes [[Martin Taylor]] Michael Pragnell of [[Zeneca]] Group plc, [[Rupert Gasser]] is currently President of [[Nestec]] SA and Executive Vice President of [[Nestlé]] SA, [[Peter Doyle]] Non- Executive Director of [[Oxford Molecular plc]] (1997-2000), Director of [[Zeneca Group plc]] (1993-1999), Director of [[ICI]] (1989-1993) and as Chairman of the [[Biotechnology and Bioscience Research Council]] (1989-2003), [[Pierre Landolt]], currently Chairman of the [[Sandoz Family Foundation]], [[Peter Thompson]] currently a Director of [[Sodexho]] Alliance SA. Previously he was President and Chief Executive Officer of [[PepsiCo Beverages International]] (1996-2004) and [[Jürg Witmer]] who held various General Management Positions within [[Roche]].
+
The SCRI's Annual Report of 2006 <ref>[http://www.scri.ac.uk/scri/file/fullannualreports/annual_report_2006.pdf Annual Report 2006], SCRI</ref> lists among its commercial research collaborators the GM and chemical giants [[Bayer]] Crop Science and [[Syngenta]] and the pharmaceutical company [[GlaxoSmithKline]].
  
−
''L-Ascorbic Acid Accumulation in Blackcurrant Fruit: Ribes nigrum L.'' which (in microscopic point size) aknowledges the support of [[GlaxoSmithKline]]
+
The SCRI was among the consortium of 3 Research Contractors ([[Rothamsted Research]] is another) who undertook the UK Government's £3M+ three-year programme of GM Crop Farm-Scale Evaluations.
  
−
''Comparison of tuber proteomes of potato (Solanum sp.) varieties'' was supported  [http://www.entransfood.nl/RTDprojects/GMOCARE/aboutgmocare.html GMOCARE] an EU-funded investigation into the safety of genetically-modified (GM) food crops.  
+
The SCRI's director is Professor [[John Hillman]], who succeeded the SCRI's Acting Director, [[Mike Wilson]]. Both Hillman and Wilson are staunch advocates of GM crops. They even co-authored an article defending GM crops for a book edited by the far-right free marketeers [[Julian Morris]] and [[Roger Bate]].  
  
−
The SCRI was among the consortium of 3 Research Contractors ([[Rothamsted Research]] is another) who undertook the UK Government's £3M+ three-year programme of GM Crop Farm-Scale Evaluations.  
+
Under Wilson and Hillman's direction, the SCRI's promotion of itself and its science to the media and the public has become synonymous with the promotion of GM crops. In this they were assisted until his retirement by the SCRI's chief information officer, [[Bill MacFarlane Smith]], who is also part of the biotech-industry funded lobby group [[CropGen]] and an Honorary Research Fellow of SCRI.  
  
−
The SCRI's director is Professor [[John Hillman]] who succeeded the SCRI's Acting Director, [[Mike Wilson]]. Both Hillman and Wilson are staunch advocates of GM crops. They even co-authored an article defending GM crops for a book edited by the far right free marketeers [[Julian Morris]] and [[Roger Bate]].  
+
In 2000 Hillman used the SCRI's annual report to attack organic farming. This was widely publicised, thanks to MacFarlane Smith and an SCRI press release: "Leading expert reopens GM food debate"<ref>"Leading expert reopens GM food debate", press release, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Feb 2000, as of September 2008 no longer available on the internet</ref>.  
  
−
Under Wilson and Hillman's direction the SCRI's promotion of itself and its science to the media and the public has become synoymous with the promotion of GM crops. In this they were assisted until his retirement by the SCRI's chief information officer, [[Bill Macfarlane Smith]], who is also part of the biotech-industry funded lobby group [[CropGen]], and who is still a Fellow of SCRI.  
+
The SCRI is a member of the [[BioIndustry Association]], whose tagline is 'Encouraging and Promoting the Biotechnology Sector of the UK Economy'. [[John Hillman]] was formerly on its Board of Directors.
  
−
In 2000 Hillman used the SCRI's annual report to attack organic farming. This was widely publicised thanks to MacFarlane Smith and an SCRI press release:'''Leading expert reopens GM  food debate''' (Scottish Crop Research Institute, Feb 2000).
+
== Commercial wing ==
  
−
The SCRI is a member of the [[BioIndustry Association]], whose tagline is 'Encouraging and Promoting the Biotechnology Sector of the UK Economy'. [[John Hillman]] was formerly on its Board of Directors.
+
The SCRI has a commercial wing, [[Mylnefield Research Services]] (MRS), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCRI. It was established in 1989 to enhance "competitiveness, understand and
 +
fulfil the needs of industry and maximise the value of SCRI intellectual property and resources." <ref>[http://www.scri.ac.uk/scri/file/fullannualreports/annual_report_2006.pdf Annual Report 2006], SCRI</ref> MRS benefits SCRI through annual Gift Aid and provision of services, without any external financial assistance.
  
 +
MRS is then subdivided into the [[Mylnefield Trust]] and [[Mylnefield Holdings Ltd]]. (MHL) [[Mylnefield Trust]] and [[Mylnefield Holdings Ltd]] (MHL) were established in 2000 in order to give the SCRI Group the flexibility it requires to grow. Central to this growth is the creation of a number of spin-off companies, such as [[Scottish Potato Technology Ltd]], in which MHL on behalf of the SCRI Group will hold equity.
  
 +
In 2006 the Trust had funds of approximately £400K,achieved mainly through donations from MRS Ltd.
  
−
== Commercial wing ==
+
To date the Trust has financially supported:
 +
- a Research Incentive Fund;
 +
- an Educational Officer at SCRI;
 +
- a hardship fund for an overseas student;
 +
- various research projects valued at £48,751.<ref>Nigel W. Kerby & Jonathan B. Snape, "[http://www.scri.ac.uk/scri/file/individualreports/2006/13_mylnefield_research_services.pdf Mylnefield Research Services]", 2006</ref>
  
−
The SCRI has a commercial wing, [[Mylnefield Research Services]](MRS)which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCRI. It was established in 1989 to enhance "competitiveness, understand and
+
During the financial year 2006-07 The Trust supported three projects amounting to £7,552. During the same financial year The Trust supported scientific publications up to a value of £10,000.<ref>Nigel W. Kerby & Jonathan B. Snape, "[http://www.scri.ac.uk/scri/file/individualreports/2006/13_mylnefield_research_services.pdf Mylnefield Research Services]", 2006</ref>
−
fulfi l the needs of industry and maximise the value of SCRI intellectual property and resources." REF1
 
−
MRS benefits SCRI through annual Gift Aid and provision of services, without any external financial assistance.
 
  
 +
MRS is involved in several LINK projects at SCRI:
 +
* Work on raspberries with the [[Horticultural Development Council]](HDC), [[Marks and Spencers plc]],[[KG Growers Ltd]], [[Thomson and Thomson Ltd]] and [[Redeva Ltd]].
 +
* Work on potatoes with the [[British Potato Council]], [[Greenvale AP]],[[Branston Ltd]], [[BioSS]] and [[Sensory Scotland Ltd]].
 +
* Work on pest control with the HDC, [[KG Growers Ltd]], [[Bayer]], [[Waitrose Ltd]], [[Cooperative Group Ltd]], [[Berryworld Ltd]], [[British Polythene Industries Ltd]] and [[East Malling Research]] (EMR).
 +
* Work on barley with [[Syngenta ]], [[Coors]], [[Svalöf Weibull]] and the [[Scotch Whisky Research Institute]].
 +
* Work on Vitamin C with [[GlaxoSmithKline]], EMR and the HDC.<ref>Nigel W. Kerby & Jonathan B. Snape, "[http://www.scri.ac.uk/scri/file/individualreports/2006/13_mylnefield_research_services.pdf Mylnefield Research Services]", 2006</ref>
  
 
== Finances ==
 
== Finances ==
  
 
The income of MRS increased to £1.99 million in 2005/2006 and MRS transferred £1.32 million to the SCRI Group, including £90K Gift Aid to the [[Mylnefield Trust]] and £125K Gift Aid to SCRI.  
 
The income of MRS increased to £1.99 million in 2005/2006 and MRS transferred £1.32 million to the SCRI Group, including £90K Gift Aid to the [[Mylnefield Trust]] and £125K Gift Aid to SCRI.  
−
Contract research (66%) is the largets contributor to income,
+
Contract research (66%) is the largest contributor to income, followed by lipid analysis (15%) and royalties (10%).<ref>Nigel W. Kerby & Jonathan B. Snape, "[http://www.scri.ac.uk/scri/file/individualreports/2006/13_mylnefield_research_services.pdf Mylnefield Research Services]", 2006</ref>
−
followed by lipid analysis (15%) and royalties (10%).
 
  
 +
== Contact Details ==
 +
 +
* Address: SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, Scotland, UK
 +
* Tel: +44(0)1382 562731
 +
* Email: info@scri.ac.uk
 +
* Website: http://www.scri.ac.uk/
  
−
Commercial research collaborations MRS develops longterm
 
−
research collaborations with commercial partners
 
−
through various schemes, including LINK projects. Currently
 
−
MRS is involved in six LINK projects at SCRI:
 
−
- Developing molecular markers for raspberry root rot
 
−
with the Horticultural Development Council (HDC).
 
−
- Developing molecular markers for raspberry quality
 
−
with the HDC, [[Marks and Spencer plc]],[[KG Growers
 
−
Ltd]], [[Thomson and Thomson Ltd]] and [[Redeva Ltd]].
 
−
- Understanding the chemistry and genetics of potato
 
−
fl avour with the British Potato Council, Greenvale AP,
 
−
[[Branston Ltd]], BioSS and [[Sensory Scotland Ltd]].
 
−
- Integrated pest management for raspberries with
 
−
the HDC, KG Growers Ltd, [[Bayer Crop Science Ltd]],
 
−
[[Waitrose Ltd]], [[Cooperative Group Ltd]]., [[Berryworld
 
−
Ltd]]., [[British Polythene Industries Ltd]]. and [[East Malling
 
−
Research]] (EMR).
 
−
- Barley association genetics with 12 commercial partners
 
−
including Syngenta Seeds, Coors Brewers, Svalöf
 
−
Weibull and the Scotch Whisky Research Institute
 
−
- Improving the Vitamin C levels in blackcurrant with
 
−
GlaxoSmithKline plc, EMR and the HDC.
 
−
Licensing and IP asset management Our IP portfolio is
 
−
dominated by plant variety rights (55) but also includes
 
−
fi ve patents and fi ve trademarks. We currently manage
 
−
490 licenses in 23 countries for potatoes, forage and
 
−
salad rape, turnip, kale, blackcurrants, blackberry, raspberry
 
−
and strawberry varieties. Varieties bred at SCRI
 
−
are being trialled all over the world including Japan,
 
−
China, Romania, Australia, Cuba and Egypt.
 
−
During 2006, MRS started collecting royalties for the
 
−
production of Glen Lyon raspberries (380 hectares) in
 
−
southern Spain. Glen Lyon is the number one variety
 
−
in Spain. Success resulted from our close collaboration
 
−
with our agents Eurosemillas as well as UK multiple
 
−
retailers, importers, propagators and the Spanish legal
 
−
system. We are introducing new varieties into this important
 
−
rewarding market. Spanish raspberry production
 
−
complements that of the UK since it provides fruit to the
 
−
UK consumer out of season.
 
−
67
 
−
New varieties Mayan Gold was launched in autumn
 
−
2006 by our partner Greenvale AP into two UK supermarkets.
 
−
This was the fi rst time a variety of Solanum
 
−
tuberosom Group Phureja, also known as S. phureja,
 
−
was available to consumers and the launch received
 
−
considerable national publicity.
 
−
Since 2003 a consortium, including SEERAD and MRS,
 
−
has been investing in the development of new and superior
 
−
raspberry cultivars. In July 2006 at ‘Fruit for the
 
−
Future’ we launched the fi rst variety (Glen Doll) from this
 
−
programme.
 
−
The swede Lomond was launched by our partners Nickerson
 
−
Advanta Ltd at a trade show in Edinburgh during
 
−
November 2006.
 
−
Analytical services Mylnefi eld Lipid Analysis increased its
 
−
business and held a successful workshop on omega-3
 
−
fatty acids in June 2006. A two day lecture course was
 
−
held in October 2006 that attracted participants from a
 
−
wide range of commercial and academic backgrounds.
 
−
MRS, together with Dr Charlie Scrimgeour of SCRI, offers
 
−
a stable isotope analysis service. This business has
 
−
grown signifi cantly in recent years and is now a major
 
−
contributor to turnover of MRS.
 
−
Developing markets In March 2006, MRS led an Agricultural
 
−
Trade Mission, organised by the China Britain Business
 
−
Council (CBBC), to China and continued to concentrate
 
−
its efforts on developing the Chinese potato and
 
−
soft fruit markets. MRS has played a signifi cant role in
 
−
facilitating the lifting of the export ban on UK seed potatoes
 
−
to China – a bilateral trade agreement was signed in
 
−
October 2006 for the export of UK mini-tubers to China.
 
−
In October 2006 the SCRI director, Professor Peter
 
−
Gregory, accompanied Dr Nigel Kerby to China where a
 
−
Glen Doll further three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were
 
−
MRS
 
−
68
 
−
signed with Chinese research organisations in the fi elds
 
−
of environmental monitoring, plant and soil interactions
 
−
and soil resilience.
 
−
MRS was invited to join a ministerial Agri-Food Trade
 
−
Mission to India (March 2006) to stimulate trade in the
 
−
agri-food sector between India and the UK. India has
 
−
more irrigated agricultural land than any other country
 
−
in the world, is the world’s second largest producer of
 
−
potatoes and fruits and a major producer of barley, so
 
−
offers signifi cant opportunities for SCRI’s expertise and
 
−
products. As a result of the mission, two proposals for
 
−
funding with the Central Potato Research Institute in
 
−
Shimla have been submitted and other opportunities for
 
−
collaboration identifi ed in the areas of plant health, horticulture,
 
−
micropropagation and barley breeding.
 
−
Knowledge transfer and exploitation
 
−
- MRS successfully coordinated a bid, on behalf of
 
−
SCRI, with fi ve other research institutes for £2.5 million
 
−
of seed funding from the Offi ce of Science and Technology
 
−
to add to the £6 million Rainbow Seed Fund.
 
−
MRS and SCRI now have access to seed funds for
 
−
developing innovative products and services.
 
−
- MRS, with Dundee and Abertay Universities and Dundee,
 
−
Angus and Perth Colleges of Higher Education,
 
−
established Tayside Knowledge Transfer Partnership
 
−
with support from Scottish Enterprise Tayside.
 
−
- In August 2006, the Dundee SME Innovation Portal
 
−
was awarded £406k from the Scottish Executive
 
−
SEEKIT programme as well as £198k ERDF funding.
 
−
This new initiative brings together MRS (on behalf of
 
−
SCRI), the two local universities, Scottish Enterprise
 
−
Tayside and Dundee University Incubator Ltd.
 
−
- In December 2006, MRS was awarded £180k from the
 
−
Scottish Executive SEEKIT programme to enable Interface
 
−
to extend its remit to include research institutes
 
−
as well as universities. Interface provides a one-stop
 
−
shop for companies wishing to access expertise and
 
−
facilities available in Scotland.
 
−
Acknowledgements MRS gratefully acknowledges the
 
−
support of all SCRI staff, for their signifi cant contribution
 
−
to the success of the company. MRS would also like
 
−
to thank its customers and sponsors for their continued
 
−
support. We would like to thank the non-executive Directors
 
−
of MRS who contribute their valuable time without
 
−
recompense.
 
−
Mylnefi eld Trust and
 
−
Mylnefi eld Holdings Ltd
 
−
The Mylnefi eld Trust and Mylnefi eld Holdings Ltd (MHL)
 
−
were established in 2000 in order to give the SCRI
 
−
Group the fl exibility it requires to grow. Central to this
 
−
growth is the creation of a number of spin-out companies,
 
−
such as Scottish Potato Technology Ltd, in which
 
−
MHL on behalf of the SCRI Group will hold equity.
 
−
The Trust currently has funds of approximately £400K,
 
−
achieved mainly through donations from MRS Ltd.
 
−
The Trust has charitable status and has as its prime objectives:
 
−
- to promote research and scientifi c work in the life,
 
−
environmental and related sciences, in particular production
 
−
of agricultural, horticultural and forestry crops,
 
−
methods of limiting or eradicating pests and diseases,
 
−
wood sciences and biomathematics, methods of increasing
 
−
production or growth, improving cultivation
 
−
and research into possible varieties.
 
−
- to promote the dissemination of such research.
 
−
To date the Trust has fi nancially supported:
 
−
- a Research Incentive Fund;
 
−
- an Educational Offi cer at SCRI;
 
−
- a hardship fund for an overseas student;
 
−
- various research projects valued at £48,751.
 
−
During the fi nancial year 2006-07 The Mylnefi eld Trust
 
−
is supporting three projects amounting to £7,552. Also
 
−
during this fi nancial year The Mylnefi eld Trust is supporting
 
−
scientifi c publications up to a value of £10,000.
 
  
 +
===Notes===
 +
<references/>
  
−
[[Category: Foodspin Government Agencies]]
+
[[Category: Scotland]][[Category:GM]][[Category:Corporate Science (GM)]][[Category:GM Lobby Groups]][[Category: Foodspin Government Agencies]]

Latest revision as of 14:08, 14 September 2009

Foodspin badge.png This article is part of the Foodspin project of Spinwatch.

The Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) is an agricultural research centre based at Invergowrie, near Dundee, employing over 350 staff. It has an income in excess of £13m, the majority from public funding. However, its corporate backing is disclosed neither on its website nor to enquirers.

The SCRI's Annual Report of 2006 [1] lists among its commercial research collaborators the GM and chemical giants Bayer Crop Science and Syngenta and the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.

The SCRI was among the consortium of 3 Research Contractors (Rothamsted Research is another) who undertook the UK Government's £3M+ three-year programme of GM Crop Farm-Scale Evaluations.

The SCRI's director is Professor John Hillman, who succeeded the SCRI's Acting Director, Mike Wilson. Both Hillman and Wilson are staunch advocates of GM crops. They even co-authored an article defending GM crops for a book edited by the far-right free marketeers Julian Morris and Roger Bate.

Under Wilson and Hillman's direction, the SCRI's promotion of itself and its science to the media and the public has become synonymous with the promotion of GM crops. In this they were assisted until his retirement by the SCRI's chief information officer, Bill MacFarlane Smith, who is also part of the biotech-industry funded lobby group CropGen and an Honorary Research Fellow of SCRI.

In 2000 Hillman used the SCRI's annual report to attack organic farming. This was widely publicised, thanks to MacFarlane Smith and an SCRI press release: "Leading expert reopens GM food debate"[2].

The SCRI is a member of the BioIndustry Association, whose tagline is 'Encouraging and Promoting the Biotechnology Sector of the UK Economy'. John Hillman was formerly on its Board of Directors.

Commercial wing

The SCRI has a commercial wing, Mylnefield Research Services (MRS), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCRI. It was established in 1989 to enhance "competitiveness, understand and fulfil the needs of industry and maximise the value of SCRI intellectual property and resources." [3] MRS benefits SCRI through annual Gift Aid and provision of services, without any external financial assistance.

MRS is then subdivided into the Mylnefield Trust and Mylnefield Holdings Ltd. (MHL) Mylnefield Trust and Mylnefield Holdings Ltd (MHL) were established in 2000 in order to give the SCRI Group the flexibility it requires to grow. Central to this growth is the creation of a number of spin-off companies, such as Scottish Potato Technology Ltd, in which MHL on behalf of the SCRI Group will hold equity.

In 2006 the Trust had funds of approximately £400K,achieved mainly through donations from MRS Ltd.

To date the Trust has financially supported: - a Research Incentive Fund; - an Educational Officer at SCRI; - a hardship fund for an overseas student; - various research projects valued at £48,751.[4]

During the financial year 2006-07 The Trust supported three projects amounting to £7,552. During the same financial year The Trust supported scientific publications up to a value of £10,000.[5]

MRS is involved in several LINK projects at SCRI:

Finances

The income of MRS increased to £1.99 million in 2005/2006 and MRS transferred £1.32 million to the SCRI Group, including £90K Gift Aid to the Mylnefield Trust and £125K Gift Aid to SCRI. Contract research (66%) is the largest contributor to income, followed by lipid analysis (15%) and royalties (10%).[7]

Contact Details

  • Address: SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, Scotland, UK
  • Tel: +44(0)1382 562731
  • Email: info@scri.ac.uk
  • Website: http://www.scri.ac.uk/


Notes

  1. ↑ Annual Report 2006, SCRI
  2. ↑ "Leading expert reopens GM food debate", press release, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Feb 2000, as of September 2008 no longer available on the internet
  3. ↑ Annual Report 2006, SCRI
  4. ↑ Nigel W. Kerby & Jonathan B. Snape, "Mylnefield Research Services", 2006
  5. ↑ Nigel W. Kerby & Jonathan B. Snape, "Mylnefield Research Services", 2006
  6. ↑ Nigel W. Kerby & Jonathan B. Snape, "Mylnefield Research Services", 2006
  7. ↑ Nigel W. Kerby & Jonathan B. Snape, "Mylnefield Research Services", 2006
Retrieved from "https://powerbase.info/index.php?title=Scottish_Crop_Research_Institute&oldid=96432"