£9 million funding to combat endemic disease in UK livestock
3rd August 2023
Innovative projects developing solutions to overcome animal health challenges on farm are set to receive a further £9 million funding under the second round of the endemic livestock disease initiative seeking to revolutionise the UK livestock sector.
The £11.5 million initiative commenced in 2021 with the goal of reducing the burden of endemic diseases on animal health, welfare and productivity in the UK.
Developed in consultation with academia, industry and policymakers, it focuses on fostering collaborative research and is backed by key organisations such as the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Defra, DAERA, as well as the Scottish Government.
To date, the initiative has successfully facilitated the formation of 45 new industry partnerships, forging strong collaborative networks. Moreover, it has engaged with over 170 end-users including farmers, veterinarians and policymakers to ensure that the research outcomes directly address their practical needs.
Phase two of the initiative is set to kickstart this summer, with a total of 14 ambitious projects receiving funding. These projects span the breadth of the livestock sector, encompassing pigs, poultry, beef, sheep and dairy.
Of particular note is the significant emphasis on digital agriculture and machine learning, with nine of the projects incorporating cutting-edge technologies to advance disease monitoring, diagnosis and prevention.
Professor Guy Poppy, interim executive chair at BBSRC, said: “Endemic diseases in the UK livestock sector pose significant challenges to animal welfare, productivity and sustainable farming practices.
“By bringing together the collective expertise of academia, industry and end-users, we are confident this initiative will lead to ground-breaking advancements in disease control, fostering a healthier and more productive livestock sector.”
UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss also welcomed the second phase of the initiative, which demonstrates the UK’s commitment to working collaboratively with the industry to combat infectious animal disease
“This funding brings together farmers, vets and researchers to develop and test new solutions to some of our most serious animal health challenges on farm, making a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the UK’s livestock,” she added.
