A recent Government study has been undertaken to assess the UK'S future needs for science capability to underpin animal and plant health in the next 10-15 years.
This study was produced out of a programe of interviews and worshops with a wide range of experts across the animal and plant health landscape and a steering group of representatives from UK government, the Devolved Administrations, Research Councils and industrial and academic experts.
Two main recommendations were established from the report:
1: Establish a new ‘UK Science Partnership for Animal and Plant Health’. This new science partnership will set the overarching strategic direction and priorities for animal and plant health science and encourage an improved culture of coordination, collaboration and sharing of good practice.
2: To deliver rapid progress, the project Steering Group should become an interim Implementation Group to drive forward immediate work on priority actions as the first step in progress towards a new UK Science Partnership for Animal and Plant Health.
A UK level strategy for animal and plant health science is in development and continued work with experts from across the animal and plant health landscape will help to deliver these priority actions.