Animal Health, Agri-tech andAquaculture (AAA):
Improving Awareness and Links for Innovation
Capacity in Scotland
Dr Jenna M Bowen
Beef and Sheep Research Centre
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
Peter Wilson Building
King’s BuildingsWest Mains Road
Edinburgh
EG9 3JG

Animal Health, Agri-tech and Aquaculture(AAA): Improving Awareness and Links forInnovation Capacity in Scotland

Dr Jenna M Bowen
Beef and Sheep Research Centre
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
Peter Wilson Building
King’s BuildingsWest Mains Road
Edinburgh
EG9 3JGiContents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 3
FELLOWSHIP AIMS AND METHODOLOGY............................................................... 4
CURRENT AAA LANDSCAPE IN SCOTLAND ............................................................ 5
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ....................................................................................... 7
INDUSTRY LANDSCAPE ....................................................................................... 17
INNOVATION CENTRES ........................................................................................ 32
NETWORKS, CONSORTIUMS & CO-OPERATIVES ............................................ 33
SCIENCE PARKS .................................................................................................... 35
GOVERNMENT & DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES ................................................... 35
CHARITIES .............................................................................................................. 36
BUSINESS GATEWAYS AND VENTURE STUDIOS ............................................ 36
FUTURE AAA LANDSCAPE....................................................................................... 37
SURVEY TO KEY STAKEHOLDERS ......................................................................... 38
OBJECTIVES, METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTED ................................. 38
RESULTS................................................................................................................. 38
DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION ....................................................................... 38
FACILITIES/RESOURCES .................................................................................. 39
COLLABORATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LINKS ......................................... 42
OPPORTUNITIES ................................................................................................ 43
CHALLENGES ..................................................................................................... 46
SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................... 49
AAA INNOVATION REGULATION ............................................................................. 50
Appendix 1. Stakeholder Inventory ............................................................................. 52
Appendix 2. Survey – Strengths, Opportunities and Challenges in the AAA sector in
Scotland ....................................................................................................................... 52ii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The aims of this fellowship were to increase the understanding of the animal health,agri-tech and aquaculture (AAA) sector in Scotland and improve understanding ofopportunities and challenges facing the sector. This was achieved through creation of
an inventory mapping key stakeholders in the sector across Scotland and a survey to
key stakeholders. The breadth of the sector, its dynamism and the constraints of ashort duration Fellowship mean that this report should be read as platform from whichfurther exploration of the sectors can build on. Whilst beyond the remit of this current
project an up-to-date scoping exercise on impact of gross value added (GVA) on the
sector would be beneficial.
The inventory created (up to date as of October 2021), and described in further detailin the report below, provides an overview of the vast breadth and expertise within the
sector across academic institutes, companies, innovation centres, networks andconsortiums, charities, government and development agencies, and businessgateways and venture studios. A large proportion of identified stakeholders are basedin and around the Easter Bush Campus which is the European epicentre for animal
biosciences. The future AAA landscape was also explored, with multiple new centres,
hubs and new trial facilities, developing and planned, over the coming years, showing
the vast expansion and investment in this area. The report also includes the extensive

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trial facilities, both animal and crop, which exist across Scotland and contribute to
Scotland’s world leading research within the AAA Sector.
An online survey was circulated to key stakeholders aiming to identify key resources
and facilities, international links, and opinions on current opportunities and challenges
to the sector (including impacts of COVID-19, BREXIT and green recovery).
Throughout the survey, responses identifying skills, expertise and research facilities
were consistently identified as key assets and unique selling points of the sector.
Expertise were particularly noted in genetics and breeding, animal health and agritech for use across all farmed animals. Strong links were identified with otheracademic institutes, companies and collaborators within Scotland, the wider UK andacross the world. Sustainable production systems, agri-tech and digital innovations
and novel/alternative production systems were identified as the main opportunities
presented to the sector. Respondents to the survey noted that they would like to see
increased promotion of the sector and its impact and increased R&D funding andinvestment for retention of skills. The largest challenges currently facing the sector
were lack of funding (including BREXIT’s impact on limiting investment), increasingclimate change and environmental pressures, and innovation regulation. Examples
around innovation regulation within the sector were explored further within this report
including the use of environmental DNA (eDNA), novel, next generation green
insecticides and the use of insects for protein. Other challenges currently facing thesector include increased administrative burdens, reduced access to materials/issues
with importing materials, labour shortages and the threat of food supply chain
disruption caused by BREXIT. COVID-19 has also presented challenges including
reduced research capacity.

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INTRODUCTION
This SEFARI Fellowship was set up to understand the opportunities for the animal
health, agri-tech and aquaculture (AAA) sector in Scotland, in collaboration with Life
Science Scotland’s Industry Leadership Group (AAA Subgroup) and Highlands andIslands Enterprise (HIE). Life Science Scotland’s Industry Leadership Group is a joint
group of industry, enterprise agencies and governmental strategy teams, the subgroup
was established to champion the AAA sector, thereby leading a greater voice to thefast-growing sector which Scotland already excels at on an international level. The
subgroup aims to build awareness and engagement within the life sciences communityand promote its strengths. Highland and Islands Enterprise represents the Scottish
enterprise agencies in the group and seeks to develop a highly successful, inclusive,and prosperous region, in which increasing numbers of people choose to live, work,
study and invest and in which the AAA strategy fits. The breadth of the sector, its
dynamism and the constraints of a short duration Fellowship mean that this report
should be read as platform from which further exploration of the sectors can build on.
The rising global population means there is increased reliance on protein (both meatand fish) which must be produced in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly
way. Advances in research and development to promote health and production
efficiencies enable this goal to be met. The animal health, agri-tech and aquaculture
sector in Scotland is important to both the life sciences and technology sectors andunderpins the country’s high performing food and drink industry. There is a large
breadth of skills in animal health, agri-tech and aquaculture including academia, public
sector and industry. However, to date there is little validated information that exists on
Scotland’s contributions to this sector and its global impact.
Scotland’s world class AAA sector includes:
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One of the largest concentrations of expertise in animal and veterinary sciencein Europe and the world at Easter Bush Campus.
Over 210 companies and stakeholders operating in the AAA sector in Scotland.
Two internationally rated veterinary medicine schools, both in close proximity
to each other, with a third planned in the near future. Currently almost 1/3 of UK
vets are trained in Scotland each year.
Scotland is global leader in veterinary science publications in comparison tolevel of GDP.
Broad range of research excellence including nutrition and health, animal
behaviour and welfare, genetics and breeding, agri-tech, disease diagnosis andtherapeutic/vaccine developments.

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First commercial vaccine (Dictol) against parasitic disease in cattle developedat University of Glasgow, and more recently a breakthrough first-of-its-kindvaccine (Barbavax) for Barber’s pole worm.
First cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, created at Roslin Institute.
University of Edinburgh together with SRUC ranked top in the UK in the
Research Excellence Framework for agricultural and veterinary research.
The Institute of Aquaculture at University of Stirling is largest of its kind in theworld.
Several new developments planned in the AAA sector in the near future
including a new agri-tech hub at Easter Bush, Dairy Nexus, SRUC’s newvertical farm and vet school coinciding with the new Rural and Veterinary
Innovation Centre (RAVIC), new James Hutton Institute’s International Barley
Hub and Advanced Plant Growth Centre and new Shetland shellfish facility.

FELLOWSHIP AIMS AND METHODOLOGY
The aim of this Fellowship was to map out the current landscape in Scotland in termsof what currently exists in the AAA sector in Scotland, including key companies,
consortiums, research centres, academic partners and key facilities, along withidentifying competitive strengths and opportunities. This report, and aligned inventory,
provides a comprehensive but not exhaustive list of all stakeholders operating in thespace. All stakeholders identified operated pre-farm gate. This was achieved via threetasks:
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Task 1. Undertake a comprehensive review of the current AAA landscape in Scotland
and identify upcoming advances in the sector. This was accomplished using existing
literature and online searches. The below definitions of AAA were used to create an
inventory to increase the understanding of the current AAA sector:•••

Animal health “interventions that improve the health of livestock and companion
animals. Such interventions include medication, vaccines, diagnostics andother relevant processes and technologies”.
Agri-tech “the development of novel technology for agriculture ensuring
improved productivity and sustainability. This includes technology applied tobenefit both crop and animal-based agriculture. Also included are precision
agriculture, data driven innovation, other relevant innovative technologies, crop
breeding, vertical farming (or totally controlled environment farming) and crop
protection”.
Aquaculture “the breeding and rearing of fish, shellfish, plants, algae, and otherorganisms in water environments. This encompasses all aspects of the
production process including breeding, nutrition, health and welfare, and otherrelevant technologies”.

Task 2. Identify strengths, opportunities, and challenges in the sector with a survey to
key stakeholders.

Task 3. Undertake a mapping exercise of trial facilities (both animal and crop) acrossScotland. This was achieved by searching publicly available documents, therefore
may not be an exhaustive list of all facilities.

This report highlights the breadth, strengths, and competitive advantages of the AAA
sector in Scotland.

CURRENT AAA LANDSCAPE IN SCOTLAND
Two hundred and sixteen key stakeholders in the AAA sector were identified. A map
has been created in Figure 1, which shows the geographic breakdown (based on local
authority areas) of each of these. The majority of the stakeholders were based aroundthe central belt of Scotland and particularly around the City of Edinburgh (38) andMidlothian (39), and Highlands (23). Other key sites for stakeholders were Argyll andBute (20), Glasgow (15), Dundee (11), Aberdeen (8), Stirling (9), Fife (7),5Aberdeenshire (5), Dumfries and Galloway (5), East Lothian (4) and Scottish Borders(4). Other council areas included North Lanarkshire (3), Orkney (3), South Lanarkshire(3), Perth and Kinross (2), Angus (2), East Dunbartonshire (2), West Lothian (2),Falkirk (2), North Shetland (2), South Ayrshire (2), Renfrewshire (2), WestDunbartonshire (1), Ayrshire (1) and Na h-Eileanan an lar (1). Each of these key
stakeholders is discussed further in the sections below.

Figure 1. Geographic location of key players in the AAA sector in Scotland. Map
adapted from Map of Scotland from Wikipedia.

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The below sections set out the current landscape separated into key stakeholder
areas: academic excellence; industry landscape; innovation centres and centres ofexpertise; networks; consortiums, and co-operatives; science parks; government anddevelopment agencies; charities; and accelerators and venture studios. Whilst key
facilities are listed within each stakeholder area below, a comprehensive list of trial
facilities collated in this fellowship can be found in the inventory (Appendix 1). An
existing database of trial facilities within the aquaculture sector exists on the Scottish
Government website.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND FACILITIES
Scotland is one of world leading locations for veterinary and animal science. This isespecially true around Easter Bush Campus which holds the largest concentration ofanimal scientists in Europe and the world. Below is a list of academic partners in the
AAA space, including areas of expertise and facilities.

Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland (BioSS) BioSS is funded by the Scottish
Government’s Rural and Environmental Science Analytical Services Division (RESAS)
and provides statistical support across the AAA sector. Their specialism lies in thedevelopment and application of statistical methods (including biomathematics) toenhance knowledge and impact. They have a broad range of statistical and modelling
expertise including animal health, big data, aquaculture, genomics and bioinformatics,
and process and systems modelling.

Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) DDI is a cluster of innovation hubs bringing together
academic disciplines to address grand challenges using data, including the use of “bigdata” from agri-tech and genomics in both livestock and aquaculture sectors. DDI, led
by University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, forms a major part of the
Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal. DDI hosts the Edinburgh
International Data Facility offering high performance computing facilities for advanced
data analytics, the facility provides analytics and storage services which support
research and data driven innovation in Edinburgh, South-East Scotland and beyond.

Edinburgh Napier University Edinburgh Napier University offers expertise inmultidisciplinary research including aquaculture environmental sustainability andhealth and welfare (for example parasitic infection).

Heriot-Watt University Heriot-Watt University is home to the Centre for Marine
Biodiversity and Biotechnology. This is an interdisciplinary research centre with7

research areas focussed on the blue economy including aquaculture, invertebrate
biology, immunology and marine natural products. The Centre for Marine Biodiversity
and Biotechnology hosts flexible laboratory facilities for physiological studies,
spectroscopy, microscopy, molecular biology, ecotoxicological biomarkers, benthic
biodiversity and sediment characteristics. Experimental facilities include a central
aquarium facility comprising of seawater and filtered freshwater options. In addition,
the centre hosts six constant temperature rooms, including one dedicated to ocean
acidification. The centre also has its own research vessels and dedicated scientificdive team.

James Hutton Institute The James Hutton Institute (JHI) combines research andexpertise in crops, soils, land use and environmental research to help address global
challenges including food security. They have a broad range of expertise andresources including genome technologies, functional genomics, imaging technologies,
Rubus and Ribes germplasm collections, National Soil Archives, Commonwealth
Potato Collection, plant pest and pathogen collections, analytical equipment, nationalsoils database and virtual landscape theatre. JHI’s world leading facilities include:
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Research farms including trial facilities at Balruddery Research Farm (170ha
arable research farm), Glensaugh Research Farm (upland livestock farm of>1000ha and automatic weather stations and hydrological data monitoring
systems), and Glen Finglas (24 grazing enclosures measuring 3.3ha each).
Glasshouses and Growth Facilities (137 glasshouses, 42 plant growth cabinets,
15 plant growth rooms, 19 cold stores, 19 polytunnels and 1200m 3 standingout-ground area)
International Barley Hub and Advanced Plant Growth Centre, discussed further
under “Future AAA Landscape”.
Sustainable feedstocks for animal and aquaculture at the Centre for
Sustainable Cropping. This is the first test farm of its scale in the UK anddelivers sustainable management practices and improved crop varieties. The
farm operates at commercial scale to maintain yield using fewer agrochemicals,
reducing GHG and nutrient leaching and enhance soil quality for commerciallyrelevant crops (e.g., barley, wheat, oilseed rape, potato and faba bean).
Genetics and genomics to elucidate the genomes of key and commerciallyrelevant crops for livestock feeds (e.g., barley grain), and pathogens within thecrop and livestock sector.
Food safety including development of technology innovations to detect anddiagnose pathogens, including food borne pathogens, and risk analysis toassess level of risk from food borne pathogens/toxins.
Waste Utilisation from the aquaculture sector and its application in agriculture(e.g., fertiliser).
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James Hutton Limited is the commercial arm of JHI and delivers a range of scientificservices and expertise across crop breeding, bioscience, aquaculture anddownstream food and drink products.

Moredun Research Institute The Moredun Research Institute carries out world
leading research to improve animal health and welfare (both livestock andaquaculture) through the prevention and control of infectious diseases caused byviruses, bacteria, and parasites. The Moredun Research Institute has a broad rangeof expertise and facilities including:
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Research into infectious diseases of livestock and aquaculture, including
zoonotic disease relevant to public health, including vaccine development.
State-of-the-art animal and laboratory facilities which are equipped for handlinga broad range of livestock pathogens (parasites, bacteria, viruses). This
includes accommodation for all livestock species, including incorporated
accommodation, post-mortem suite and incineration facilities, high containment
facilities providing controlled environment conditions for large and small animal
species (including specified pathogens up to Containment Level 3) and 150ha
grazing land. Laboratory facilities are good laboratory practice (GLP) compliant.
Disease surveillance, in partnership with SRUC’s Veterinary Services, tomonitor livestock disease outbreaks across Scotland. This includes dedicatedvirus surveillance units and pathology laboratory.
Precision farming research to improve productivity of livestock production
systems
Proteomics bringing together molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics forcharacterisation of proteins expressed by genes. This includes the Moredun
Proteomics Facility which focusses on infectious diseases.
Bioinformatics tools to develop novel methods/software to further
understanding of complex biological data.

Moredun Scientific, the commercial arm of Moredun Research Institute, is a contract
research organisation with expertise in provision of services to global animal healthcompanies, offering efficacy and safety testing for veterinary medicines, vaccines, andfeed additives for both livestock and aquaculture, thus allowing commercial outputs
from research.

University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Science and Roslin
Institute The Roslin Institute is one of the largest dedicated animal biosciences
research institutes in Scotland, hosting and delivering the majority of the research

9activity at University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Key
expertise and facilities at these sites include:
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Genetics and genomics including those underpinning resistance to disease inlivestock and markers for improved aquaculture broodstock in aquaculture. This
includes Edinburgh Genomics, the largest academic DNA sequencing facility(by output) in the UK, and expertise in bioinformatics.
Diseases and health including new and emerging zoonosis (including more
recently COVID-19 research), and pathogens for improving food safety. This
also includes tools, reagents and assays for veterinary immunology. The Roslin
Institute also hosts the centre for comparative pathology, a collaborative centre
focused on human and animal disease mechanisms, and TSE Resource Centre
offering support to Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy research. There
are also strengths in osteoarthritis and cancer in companion animals, linking to
the dedicated Riddell-Swan Veterinary Cancer Centre and equine hospital at
the University of Edinburgh.
Strong links to the Roslin Innovation Centre, the business gateway forcompanies focussed on AAA at Easter Bush Campus.
Behavioural sciences studying the optimum environment to enhance animal
welfare.
Biological research facility providing housing and care for rodents.
Proteomics and metabolomics facility offering a range of mass spectrometry
and analytical chromatography methods, and bioimaging and flow cytometry
equipment including high-end microscopy and cell sorting.

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies owns and operates a 250ha dairy
research farm (including milking parlour) at Langhill and Dryden Research Farm. The
Roslin Institute is home to specialist laboratories and bioimaging skills (including the
Bioimaging and Flow Cytometry, Proteomic and Metabolomics Facility), and researchfacilities including:••

The National Avian Research Facility (NARF) consisting of two units (i)conventional and (ii) specified pathogen free and home to one of the largest
number of transgenic chicken lines in the world.
Livestock/Farm facilities including the recently opened Large Animal Research
Imaging Facility (LARIF). LARIF hosts several facilities including:o Isolation suite for studying infectious diseases in animals including
containment unit providing specialist animal holding areas and dedicatedprocedure rooms. Two containment units are available which operate atcontainment level 2.
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o Range of imaging resources for large animals including computer
tomography (CT), 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner,
C-arm fluoroscopic X-ray system, ultrasound, mobile PET-CT imaging.
o Two operating theatres for surgery/general anaesthesia.
o Critical care unit specialising in prolonged anaesthesia and intensive
care enabling up to six anaesthetised animals to be physiologicallymonitored simultaneously.
o Genetic modification of livestock including embryology facilities, biosecure environments from implantation of engineered zygotes throughto the rearing of breeding populations.
Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) SAMS is Scotland’s oldest andlargest independent marine science organisation, delivering marine science researchand development. SAMS work in partnership with academic business, government,
regulatory and voluntary sectors, working with a wide portfolio of facilities and services:
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Scottish Marine Robotics Facility operating the latest smart technologies formarine research.
Culture collection of algae and protozoa offering the most diverse collection ofits kind in the world.
SAMS operate a small fleet of research vessels.
Sampling equipment and analytical facilities.
Alan Ansell Research Aquarium consisting of 160m 2 indoor and outdoor
facilities for studies including but not limited to biology of deep-sea coral,
biological rhythms, feeding trials, larval studies, biology of non-native species
and behavioural studies.
Two experimental seaweed farms aiding to identify the most advantageous
species to farm and harvest in Scotland, and identifying and controlling
pathogens. This links closely to SAMS’s recently completed expansion of their
seaweed nursery.
Experimental artificial reefs to research interactions between man-madestructures and the marine environment.

SAMS Enterprise provide specialist marine consultancy and SAMS Ltd. is anacademic partner of University of Highlands and Islands.

Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA) SULSA is a strategic
partnership between 11 Scottish universities which seeks to advance life sciences
innovation and research.

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Scottish Environmental, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes (SEFARI)SEFARI is a consortium of six environmental, food and agricultural research institutes
across Scotland, including SRUC, Moredun Research Institute, the Rowett Institute,
BioSS, JHI and Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. These institutes deliver the
Scottish Government-funded Strategic Research Programme addressing grandchallenges in agriculture, animal and plant health, environment, land use, food drink,
and rural communities. SEFARI delivers knowledge exchange and impact through the
SEFARI Gateway.

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) SRUC combines and integrates research,education, and consultancy in the land-based sector, and is the largest institution of
its type in Europe. It also has strong links to industry and policy, with sites present
across Scotland within each faculty hub (Central, North and South West), SRUC alsoin preparation to achieve degree awarding powers. Key expertise include:
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Dedicated animal trial facilities in livestock production, and facilities for crop
trials which underpin research capabilities (described further below).
Animal behaviour and welfare, focussing on assessing behaviour andemotions, indicators of pain, and qualitative behavioural assessment.
Breeding and genomics research to optimise health, welfare, productivity, andenvironmental impact leading to more sustainable production systems of
livestock and capabilities for aquaculture. Additionally, delivery of national
genetic and genomic evaluations through Edinburgh GENetic Evaluation
Services (EGENES), and body composition estimation using dedicated mobile
CT scanner.
Disease systems including SRUC Veterinary Services providing disease
surveillance and analytical testing, and epidemiology research unit, based atInverness, focusing on development of models to describe diseasetransmission in animal populations.
SAC Consulting delivers consultancy to over 12,000 customers with expertisein veterinary services, livestock and crops, environment design, farm
diversification and rural business management.
Strategic partner in new SeedPod development hub (led by Opportunity North
East; ONE) which will be located at Craibstone (see Future AAA Landscape).
Developing innovative solutions through SRUC’s Commercial Group andInnovation hub.

SRUC is home to a large number of farms and research facilities which enables it todeliver high quality research in the land-based sector, including:•Beef and Sheep Research Centre based at Easter Howgate Farm covering>1000ha including hill, upland and lowland, and home to 400 suckler cows and
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>1400 sheep. The farm has world-leading facilities to weigh, monitor individual
feed intake through feed bins for cattle (part investment from CIEL) and forage,
concentrate and weigh crates for sheep (CIEL investment). The centre hosts
the GreenCow facility which consists of six respiration chambers to monitor
greenhouse gases from individual animals and newly invested portable
accumulation chamber (PAC) for measuring sheep emissions. The farm has
facilities for nutrition, feed efficiency trials and ground truthing agri-techsolutions (automated weigh systems, 3D imaging, animal mounted sensors,
proxy technologies, EID etc.).
Dairy Research and Innovation Centre based at Crichton Royal Farm (Dumfries
has two units based on 252ha farmland including the Langhill Breeding study
with 50 years of selection for milk solids production (maximum and national
average genetic lines). The farm houses facilities for nutrition, methane andprecision livestock farming (PLF) research including a total of 270 milking cows,
including automated milk recording, individual recording of feed and water
intake, weighing facilities, calf respiration chambers and range of precision
livestock tools. In addition, SRUC’s dedicated calf research facilities are basedin Dumfries, including bespoke equipment to allow for continuous assessmentof individual calf growth, intake and behaviour (through Agri-Epi Centre
investment). The centre also focuses work on soil and grassland including soil
compaction, greenhouse gas emissions and controlled traffic farming.
Monogastric Research Centre hosts both pig and poultry units. The poultry unit,
Allermuir Avian Innovation Centre, encompasses all aspects of poultry
production and facilities include raised-floor units, enriched housing layer
facilities and large floor pen facilities allowing small scale to commercial
conditions. The pig unit, based at Easter Howgate, is a 100 sow farrow to finish
herd with facilities to monitor feed intake and growth, agritech (including 3D
cameras), pathogen and parasite studies, and behaviour and welfare studies.
Hill and Mountain Centre is based at Kirkton and Auchtertyre Farms near
Crainlarich and consist of 2,200ha. The site has an established LoraWAN
network and research focusses on how technology can help hill farmers to
improve production including EID.
Scottish National Equestrian Centre (SNEC) is a key education, training andevents facility owned and operated by SRUC.

University of Aberdeen the University of Aberdeen has many expertise andinternational centres within the AAA sector including:•

The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health carriers out studies of diet andhealth in both animals and humans. Areas of expertise include gut microbiome,
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nutrition, and health to improve nutritional value of food products whilst reducing
environmental impacts.
International Centre for Aquaculture Research and Development (ICARD)
offering extensive expertise in fish nutrition, feed formulations, infection trials,
immunology and vaccine development, pathogen interactions.
Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre addressing both fundamental andapplied issues for fish health including gene discovery and vaccine
development in collaboration with University of Stirling and Marine Scotland
Science.
The School of Biological Sciences hosts recently refurbished aquarium facilities(freshwater and seawater facilities). The aquarium also has high biosecurity
pathogen challenge facilities and independent zebrafish aquarium with isolated
breeding tanks. This is in addition to laboratory equipment including multiple
mass spectrometers, chromatographers and electron microscopes.

University of Dundee The University of Dundee is one of the leading universities in
Europe delivering research in life sciences including through the Division of Plant
Sciences which was established in 2007. This is an internationally recognised centre
for molecular plant science including genes and processes underpinning traits (e.g.
yield, disease resistance).

University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh is home to one of the UK’s
leading veterinary schools, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, and hometo the Roslin Institute (both described in detail above). The University has otherexpertise across the AAA sector, including:
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Supporting Evidence-Based Interventions (SEBI) applies data and evidence tohelp smallholders and livestock communities make better investments andimprove livelihoods in low- and middle-income countries.
Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Safety is an interdisciplinary hub ofexpertise supporting decision-making to transform agri-food systems andimprove food security.
Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) aims to improve
livestock-based livelihoods in the tropics. Strategic partners include Universityof Edinburgh, the Roslin Institute, SRUC and International Livestock ResearchInstitute (ILRI).
Edinburgh Innovations is the University’s commercialisation service withexpertise across all aspects of animals, agriculture, data, and circular economy.

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Innogen, a collaboration between University of Edinburgh and the Open
University, produced high quality research and supports delivery of innovation
across the 3 As.
Bayes Centre is the University’s innovation hub for data science and artificial
intelligence.

University of Glasgow the University of Glasgow is home to the College of Medicinal,
Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) bringing together internationally renowned
experts. Research expertise include viral and parasitic diseases, livestock production
and public health, ecology of infectious diseases, reproductive biology and research
into companion animals. The MVLS also has strengths in fish biology including
epidemiology and spread of disease. Research is carried out within several
departments including School of Veterinary medicine, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal
Health and Comparative Medicine, Institute of Infection, Inflammation and
Immunology and Centre for Virus Research. The university is home to several trial
facilities including:•••

The Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE) which
provides high quality wet and dry field laboratories, an aquarium and space forexperimental studies.
The Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine has eighttemperature-controlled aquarium rooms (freshwater and seawater), aviaries toallow natural behaviours to be observed in captive birds, and the Glasgow
Polyomics facility for analysis of genomes, transcriptomics, proteomes andmetabolomes.
Concho Fam and Research Centre which comprises of 344ha (including 42ha
woodland), which aids in delivery of teaching and research activities including
production systems, animal health, nutrition, breeding/reproduction andepidemiology. Facilities include basic surgery facility, laboratory suite, ruminant
metabolism laboratory, feed mill and cattle and sheep handling/housing
facilities.

University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) the University of Highlands and Islands
is composed of 13 colleges and research institutes in the Highlands and Islands regionof Scotland. There are several research centres within UHI which carry out AAA
related research:••

SAMS (described in detail above).
Environmental Research Institute at North Highland College activities include
providing analytical services, consultancy and sediment analysis. Areas of
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excellence include nutrition, salmonid migration, water quality, benthic surveys
and tidal modelling.
NAFC Marine Centre conducts research in fisheries science and the blue
economy. It supports activities of production and food quality and safety.
UHI Lipidomics Research Facility in Centre for Health Science performing
lipidomic and proteomic analysis in fish and algae.
UHI Rivers and Lochs Institute provides research, training and education
focussed on freshwater biodiversity, including fish and fisheries genetics,
biodiversity management, catchment management, aquaculture=environment
interactions and biodiversity management and socioecology.

University of St Andrews the University of St Andrews has expertise in the blue
economy including the marine environment, aquaculture, marine biotechnology. The
University is home to the Scottish Oceans Institute researching a wide range of topics
including fish biology, marine ecology, conservation biology, fish physiology andendocrinology, genomics, behaviour and bioacoustics. The Scottish Oceans Instituteis home to the Gatty Marine Laboratory consisting of a seawater aquarium, seal pooland molecular laboratories.

University of Stirling the University of Stirling has expertise in sustainableaquaculture and food security through its Institute of Aquaculture. The Institute of
Aquaculture is home to one of the largest concentrations of aquaculture expertise inEurope and one of the largest of its kind in the world. The Institute has a range ofscientific expertise including genetics, sustainable aquaculture, disease and health,genetics and reproduction and nutrition. Specialist facilities include:•••

Machrihanish Marine Environmental Research Laboratory, a purpose-built
facility containing a commercial scale marine hatchery nursery and growing
unit. This facility has a total of 151 flow through recirculating tanks including a
dedicated quarantine tank and linked laboratory.
Niall Bromage Freshwater Research Unit for freshwater studies, including
Atlantic salmon smolt production, under GLP standards. The unit has a total of
42 flow through holding units and dedicated sterile room for live fish work inaddition the GLP laboratory.
Howietoun Fishery operating as a commercial fishery and hatchery for brown
trout, salmonids and smolt.

University of Strathclyde the University’s Electronic, Electrical and Engineering(EEE) department has expertise in engineering and agri-tech development including
16

the Silent Herdsman (now AfiMilk) collar for oestrus detection and health. The
department also collaborate on many agri-tech grants.

INDUSTRY LANDSCAPE
Scotland offers a range of research, supply and manufacturing across the 3 As. Whilst
this list below is not exhaustive, it includes start-ups, small and medium enterprises(SMEs) and multinational corporations (MNCs).

ANIMAL HEALTH
The industry animal health sector offers a wide range of expertise including
consultancy, genetics and genomics, veterinary (including diagnostics, surveillance,
treatments, vaccines and imaging), nutrition, gene therapy, cell cultures, drug
development and production, contract research organisations and water treatment
systems. These are discussed in further detail below:

Consultancy
Food Chain Enterprises Ltd Food Chain Enterprises are experts in the poultry supply
chain offering consultancy and training to support poultry production.
AbacusBio Ltd AbacusBio, a science and technology consulting firm based in New
Zealand and the UK, deliver solutions for clients across the agribusiness landscape,including both livestock and aquaculture.
Supply Chain In-Sites (SCI) SCI is a provider of services to the food supply chain
and animal welfare sectors offering bespoke programs including governance,complete supply chain assessments, traceability and provenance and risk
management.

Genetics/Genomics
AB Europe AB Europe, a cattle breeding and genetics company, offer solutions using
reproductive technologies to the UK livestock sector.
Roslin Technologies Roslin Technologies focus on applying new biotechnologies(including stem cell and genomics) to improve sustainable protein production acrossboth livestock and aquaculture sectors.
Semex UK Semex are a world leader in bovine genetics, reproduction and artificial
insemination, covering both the dairy and beef sectors.

17

Wobble Genomics Wobble Genomics specialise in sequencing (RNA and DNA) andbioinformatics for discovery and detection of novel biomarkers.

Veterinary
AfiMilk Ltd AfiMilk are a global leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing
advanced systems for dairy farms and herd management, including heat (oestrus)
detection and health monitoring in cattle.
BDSL Irvine Ltd BDSL Irvine supply veterinary diagnostics kits which diagnose
various diseases in animals.
BioBest BioBest are one of the UK’s leading full service veterinary laboratories, offers
research, contract and laboratory support services in infectious diseases andpathology.
Bioemitter Farming Systems Bioemitter Farming Systems offer biodynamic parasite
control in livestock systems using vibration energy.
BioReliance Ltd BioReliance provide testing and manufacturing services topharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, with a focus on gene therapy andvaccine manufacturing in Scotland.
Carus Animal Health Carus Animal Health is focused on identifying and developing
novel technologies which have applications in animal health with particular interests inimproving care for companion animals through cutting edge innovation.
Cojengo Cojengo provide Africa’s first integrated livestock disease diagnosis
surveillance platform using mobile apps to enable disease diagnostics.
Fixed Phage Fixed Phage use targeted phage solutions to improve health of livestockand companion animals.
GALVmed GALVmed provide livestock health solutions including vaccines, medicinesand diagnostics, making them accessible and affordable to millions in developing
countries.
Herd Advance Herd Advance, a start-up company in digital agriculture, deliver an
improved herd management app in the beef sector including real time healthmonitoring of the herd.
IceRobotics IceRobotics develop and deliver livestock behaviour monitoring systems
used to detect ill health and heat (oestrus).
IMV Imaging IMV Imaging provide veterinary imaging systems for both livestock andcompanion animals. BCF technology, who design ultrasound for on-farm use recently
joined the IMV Technologies Group.

18Ingenza Ltd Ingenza are a biotechnology company specialising in high value industrial
products and therapeutic proteins.
MiRNA Diagnostics Ltd MiRNA are a veterinary diagnostics company specialising indevelopment of testing technologies for veterinary disease using microRNA (miRNA).
MV Diagnostics Ltd MV Diagnostics are an R&D company developing veterinary
diagnostic kits and reagents for animal health.
NCIMB Ltd NCIMB, a microbiological and chemical analysis company, specialise in
all things microbiology (bacteria, yeast, bacteriophages, plasmids etc.) andmicrobial/pathogen identification.
Neemco Ltd Neemco formulate and provide natural pest control, their products are
livestock for control of biting and egg laying flies.
NEOGEN NEOGEN provide a comprehensive range of solutions and services
focussing on improving food and animal safety, including animal and aquaculture
protein production.
Novarum DX Ltd Novarum technology transforms a smartphone into a diagnostic
platform for animal health (livestock and companion animal).
Vertebrate Antibodies Vertebrate Antibodies is an emerging biotechnology company
providing antibody solutions for livestock, companion animals and fish to improveanimal health.
Vetsina Animal Diagnostics Vetsina Animal Diagnostics are a new company formedby DESTINA Genomic and Roslin Technologies providing veterinary diagnostics (RNA& microRNA) for animal health and veterinary use.
Wyoming Interactive Wyoming Interactive are a full-service digital agency providing
consultancy, development and design across multiple sectors, including digitaltechnologies in veterinary science.

Nutrition
Roslin Nutrition Roslin Nutrition are a monogastric nutrition company focussed on
formulating and manufacturing trial diets, including those to improve animal health.

Gene therapy
AskBio Ltd AskBio are a leading biotechnology company specialising in genetherapy.

19

BioReliance Ltd BioReliance provide testing and manufacturing services topharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, with a focus on gene therapy andvaccine manufacturing in Scotland.

Cell cultures
Cellexus Cellexus are an R&D company which develop and manufacture bioreactor
systems for cell culture and fermentation applications including phages to reduce
antimicrobial usage.

Contract research Organisations
Argenta Argenta are the world’s only combined global Contract Research
Organisation and Contract Manufacturing Organisation specialising in animal health.
BioBest BioBest are one of the UK’s leading full service veterinary laboratories, offers
research, contract and laboratory support services in infectious diseases andpathology. They are also UKAS, Good Laboratory Practice and Good Manufacturing
Practice accredited.
EPP Ltd EPP are a Good Laboratory Practice Contract Research Organisation
specialising in analytics, screening and environmental sciences.

Drug development and production
Charles River Charles River are a drug development, animal health product and agrochemical testing facility for wide range of animal species including livestock andcompanion animals.
N2 Pharmaceuticals N2 Pharmaceuticals are a veterinary drug production company
specialising in unique injectable medicines derived from blue mussels.

Water Treatment systems
Pure Water International Ltd Pure Water International provide advanced water
filtration systems including aquaculture and livestock.
Scotmas Scotmas provide water treatment systems for use in both aquaculture andlivestock.

20

AGRI-TECH
The industrial agri-tech sector offers a wide range of expertise including consultancy,
sensors/robotics/cameras, IoT and intelligent systems, drones/unmanned arial
vehicles/satellites, material suppliers, software/mobile apps, vertical/controlledenvironment farming, molecular technologies and alternative systems. These are
discussed in further detail below:

Consultancy
AbacusBio Ltd AbacusBio, a science and technology consulting firm based in New
Zealand and the UK, deliver solutions for clients across the agribusiness landscape,including both livestock and aquaculture.
Wyoming Interactive Wyoming Interactive are a full-service digital agency providing
consultancy, development and design across multiple sectors, including digitaltechnologies in veterinary science.

Sensors/Robotics/Cameras
AfiMilk Ltd AfiMilk are a global leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing
advanced systems for dairy farms and herd management, including heat (oestrus)
detection and health monitoring in cattle.
Crover Crover offers unique grain storage solutions to automate monitoring for optimal
storage conditions.
IceRobotics IceRobotics develop and deliver livestock behaviour monitoring systems
used to detect ill health and heat (oestrus).
IMV Imaging IMV Imaging provide veterinary imaging systems for both livestock andcompanion animals. BCF technology, who design ultrasound for on-farm use recently
joined the IMV Technologies Group.
Innovent Technology Ltd Innovent Technology develop agri-tech solutions forlivestock (PLF) applications including software and imaging.
SoilEssentials SoilEssentials provide precision farming solutions for farmers by
farmers.
Spectrolytic Ltd Spectrolytic provide spectroscopy solutions across multiple sectors
including milk analysis in the dairy sector and phosphate and nitrate sensors duringcrop spraying.

21

Syngenta Syngenta are a global agri-tech company, focussed on arable. Syngenta
are headquartered in Switzerland but have a manufacturing plant in Scotland.
Taylor Technologies Ltd. Taylor Technologies are an R&D agri-tech company
developing spraying automation in the arable sector.
ZIVA Robotics ZIVA prove robotic vehicles to help monitor crop health and growth inpolytunnels. ZIVA were previously known as CASTA SPES Technologies Ltd.

Internet of Things (IoT) and intelligent systems
Celestia UK Celestia specialise in terrestrial and space borne IoT devises including
drone and unmanned arial vehicles for crop spraying.
Greengage Enlightened Farming Ltd Greengage Enlightened Farming supply smart
lighting solutions to improve animal welfare and productivity.
R3 IoT R3 IoT combine satellite technology with IoT, applications include remoteenvironment monitoring through satellite imaging.

Data/Artificial Intelligence
Arc-Net Arc-Net improve traceability, transparency and security to supply chains via
blockchain, this system is used in to improve traceability in the arable sector.
Dyneval Ltd Dyneval provide automated technology solutions for pen-side semen
analysis using artificial intelligence.
Global Surface Intelligence Global Surface Intelligence combine big data analytics
and imaging from satellites, drones and unmanned arial vehicles to changing land use,
forestry and agriculture.

Drones/UAVs/Satellites
Apem Ltd APEM is Europe’s leading environmental consultancy service specialisingin marine and land-based aquaculture, ecology and arial surveys.
Astrosat Astrostat are an earth observation company utilising satellite technology,
applications in agriculture include soil moisture monitoring.

22

Ecometrica Ecometrica provide environmental monitoring solutions to improve
resource management and build resilience, including monitoring impacts of climatechange (water and land).
Global Surface Intelligence Global Surface Intelligence combine big data analytics
and imaging from satellites, drones and unmanned arial vehicles to changing land use,
forestry and agriculture.
Space Intelligence Space Intelligence supply landscape mapping using satellite
images. Applications in agriculture include above ground carbon storage, land coverand land use changes, and habitat loss.

Material suppliers
NoPollution Industrial Systems Ltd. NoPollution are experts in mechanical andelectrical engineering, including in the agriculture sector. Specialisms include
environmentally controlled chambers (e.g., SRUC’s GreenCow GHG facility).
Pentland Material Supply Pentland Material Supply specialise in engineering
providing solutions to agriculture - projects have included GreenCow at SRUC andIntelligent Growth Solution’s vertical farming system.
Ritchie Agricultural Ritchie are providers of agricultural equipment in Scotland
including specialised agri-tech equipment (e.g. BeefMonitor water trough/weigh crate).

Software/Apps
Cojengo Cojengo provide Africa’s first integrated livestock disease diagnosis
surveillance platform using mobile apps to enable disease diagnostics.
Datamars Livestock Datamars provide platforms and tools for farm and livestock
management.
Farm-Hand Farm-Hand provide data driven farm management solutions for sensorfree precision irrigation allowing improved farm management for small-medium
holders globally.
Herd Advance Herd Advance, a start-up company in digital agriculture, deliver an
improved herd management app in the beef sector including real time healthmonitoring of the herd.
iLivestock iLivestock provide farm management software for the livestock sector.
eWeigh addition allows for fully integrated system to weigh cattle.

23

Novarum DX Ltd Novarum technology transforms a smartphone into a diagnostic
platform for animal health (livestock and companion animal).
Peacock Technology Peacock specialise in engineering, robotics/automation andmachine vision/artificial intelligence, with uses in the agriculture sector.
Controlled Environment FarmingIntelligent Growth Solutions Intelligent Growth Solutions are experts in controlledenvironment agriculture, installing the first vertical farm in Scotland.
Liberty Produce Future Farming Hub Liberty Produce Future Farming Hub, basedat the James Hutton Institute, is a state-of-the-art fully contained and controlled vertical
farming system.
Shockingly Fresh Shockingly Fresh are experts in vertical farming includinghydroponic farming.
The Aquaponics Garden The Aquaponics Garden provide scalable aquaponics andvertical farming systems.
Vertegrow Vertegrow provide vertical farming and controlled environment farming
solutions.

Molecular technologies
AskBio Ltd AskBio are a leading biotechnology company specialising in genetherapy.
BeeBytes Analytics CIC BeeBytes Analytics specialise in honeybee genetics andDNA analysis.
Cellexus Cellexus develop and manufacture cell culture and fermentation
technologies including phage use to reduce antimicrobial usage.
Charles River Charles River are a drug development, animal health product and agrochemical testing facility for wide range of animal species including livestock andcompanion animals.
Edinburgh Genomics Edinburgh Genomics are the largest academic DNA
sequencing facility (by output) in the UK, with expertise in postprocessing/bioinformatics
Green Bioactives Ltd Green Bioactives create sustainable sources of plantbiomolecules and extracts to supply agriculture industries.
Ingenza Ltd Ingenza are a biotechnology company specialising in high value industrial
products and therapeutic proteins.

24Semex UK Semex are a world leader in bovine genetics, reproduction and artificial
insemination, covering both the dairy and beef sectors.
Wobble Genomics Wobble Genomics specialise in sequencing (RNA and DNA) andbioinformatics for discovery and detection of novel biomarkers.

Alternative Systems
BetaBugs Ltd BetaBugs are an insect genetics company developing and distributing
black solider fly breeds within the insect farming sector.
SEM SEM pioneer disruptive new technologies that process co-products helping
achieve a circular economy.
Solasta Bio Solasta Bio develop targeted and pollinator friendly bioinsecticides which
are safe for non-target organisms.

AQUACULTURE
The industry aquaculture sector offers a wide range of expertise including breedingang genetics, production, nutrition, health and welfare, water quality, technologicalsolutions and consultancy. These are discussed in further detail below:

Breeding/genetics
Aquagen Aquagen, headquartered in Norway, are an aquaculture breeding andgenetics company.
Cryogenetics Technologies UK Ltd Cryogenetics Technologies
cryptopreservation and fertilisation services within the aquaculture sector.

provideLandcatch Ltd/Hendrix Genetics Landcatch provide innovative genetic andbreeding solutions to the aquaculture sector.
Roslin Technologies Roslin Technologies focus on applying new biotechnologies(including stem cell and genomics) to improve sustainable protein production acrossboth livestock and aquaculture sectors.
Wobble Genomics Wobble Genomics specialise in sequencing (RNA and DNA) andbioinformatics for discovery and detection of novel biomarkers.
Xelect Ltd Xelect are specialists in genetics and provide genetic solutions for theaquaculture sector.

Production25

Aggreko Aggreko provide heating, colling and power supply chain rental in theaquaculture sector.
Aqua Innovation Ltd Aqua Innovation provide practical solutions for aquaculture,including production and construction of recirculating aquaculture systems.
Aquamoor Ltd Aquamoor deliver sustainable mooring solutions, including for
applications in aquaculture and seaweed farming.
Brow Well Fisheries/Ae Fishery Fishery (trout) based in Dumfries and Galloway.
Cooke Aquaculture Scotland Cooke Aquaculture is one of the leading Scottish
salmon producers.
Fass Fern Mussels Producers of rope grown mussels.
Feamainn Feamainn are a start-up in the aquaculture sector commercially growing
seaweed.
FiiZK FiiZK are a supplier of semi-closed- and closed- cage systems for aquaculture.
They also specialise in software development and treatment tarps for cages.
Fishfrom Fishfrom are a salmon farming business using and developing scalable
recirculating systems.
Gael Force Group Gael Force Group are an equipment and technology provider,
supplying all aspects of aquaculture production.
Green Sea Solutions Green Sea Solutions are developing and cultivating asustainable seaweed farming system.
Inverlussa Marine Services Inverlussa Marine Services is one of Scotland’s leading
workboat operators, with a fleet of modern vessels servicing aquaculture businesses
throughout the UK and Europe.
Inverlussa Shellfish Company Inverlussa Shellfish Company is a large mussel
producer.
Invicta Trout Invicta Trout, a trout farming business, provide aquaculture consultancy
and advisory services to land based trout farmers, covering all aspects of freshwater
trout farming.
Isle of Skye Mussel Company Isle of Skye Mussel Company are a sustainable
mussel farming operation.
Kames Fish Farming Kames are a large trout fish farming operation and also a
supplier of aquaculture equipment.
Load Monitoring Systems Load Monitoring Systems design and manufacture in loadmonitoring equipment in the aquaculture sector.

26

Loch Duart Loch Duart are a Scottish salmon producer.
Loch Fyne Oysters Loch Fyne Oysters are a Scottish seafood producer
MiAlgae MiAlgae harnesses microalgae as a source of Omega-3 as an alternative towild-caught fish.
Mowi Scotland Mowi are the UK’s largest supplier of farm-raised salmon.
Namara Projects Ltd Namara Projects are an aquaculture R&D company.
EFC Scotland Ltd EFC Scotland (formerly Niri Scotland) provide recirculating
aquaculture systems for salmon farming.
Norfab Equipment Ltd Norfab are a bespoke equipment supplier in aquaculture
sector.
North Bay Innovations Limited North Bay Innovations, previously North Bay
Shellfish Ltd., provide sustainable solutions for aquaculture.
Organic Sea Harvest Organic Sea Harvest are a Scottish organic farmed salmon
producer.
Orkney Shellfish Hatchery Orkney Shellfish Hatchery are a land-based oyster
hatchery.
Otter Ferry Seafish Otter Ferry Seafish, one of the longest established Aquaculturebusinesses in the UK, specialises in lumpfish and wrasse and is UK’s only halibut
hatchery operating in conjunction with Gigha Halibut which grows on halibut juveniles.
ScaleAQ ScaleAQ, an international aquaculture company, specialising in engineeringand production of aquaculture solutions. This was formed after a merger of Steinsvik
UK, Aqualine and AquaOptima.
Salmon Scotland Salmon Scotland (previously Scottish Salmon Producers
Organisation) help create conditions for the long-term and sustainable growth of theScottish salmon sector, representing all salmon farming companies in Scotland.
Scottish Sea Farms Scottish Sea Farms are a major producer of Scottish farmed
salmon.
Shetland Mussels Ltd Shetland Mussels are a mussel producer.
The Scottish Salmon Company The Scottish Salmon Company are a major producerof Scottish farmed salmon.
Todd Fish Tech Ltd Todd Fish Tech design and manufacture shellfish systems,
specialising in those used in research aquaria. Recently merged with Fisheries
Enhance.
Wester Ross Fisheries Wester Ross Fisheries are a small Scottish salmon producer
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Xanthella Xanthella design and manufacture photobioreactors to grow photosynthetic
products on both lab and industrial scale, this includes growing high-value micro-algae
in Scotland (Oban).

Nutrition
BioMar BioMar are a global leader in aquaculture feed supplying high performance
diets within the aquaculture sector.
Cargill Aqua Nutrition (EWOS) EWOS, an international leader in aquaculture
nutrition, supply feed to the aquaculture sector. EWOS have recent investment insalmoNIR, a handheld fat scanner for salmon.
Mowi Scotland Mowi are the UK’s largest supplier of farm-raised salmon, Mowi
Scotland also operates a new state-of-the-art feed mill on the Isle of Skye.
Northeast Nutrition Scotland, owned and operated by Cooke Aquaculture, operatea salmon feed mill at Invergordon.
GlycoMar Limited GlycoMar have expertise in discovery and development ofglycomolecules from microalgae, which are subsequently used in aquaculture (feed).

Health and welfare
Aqualife Services Aqualife are a global leader in fish care and vaccination services
after a merger with Salmovac.
Aquatic Diagnostics Ltd Aquatic Diagnostics develop and manufacture reagents andkits to improve fish health.
Benchmark Animal Health Benchmark develop solutions in genetics, health andnutrition to improve performance and fish health and welfare.
Bioemitter Farming Systems Bioemitter Farming Systems offer biodynamic parasite
control in aquaculture using vibration energy.
EPP Ltd EPP are a Good Laboratory Practice Contract Research Organisation
specialising in analytics, screening and environmental sciences.
Fixed Phage Fixed Phage use targeted phage solutions to improve health of farmed
fish.
GenusWave Ltd GenusWave provide breakthrough acoustic technology to deter
seals thus improving welfare and salmon health.

28

Highland Aqua Team Highland Aqua Team provide vaccination services and net
refurbishment in the fin fish aquaculture sector.
Kelpring Kelpring uses natural kelp to clean fish habitats in salmon farming, achievedby providing a natural kelp forest for wrasse and lumpfish within the lice zone in salmonpens.
Mørenot Scotland Mørenot provide innovative solutions to improve fish health andefficiency fish farming and aquaculture.
Neemco Ltd Neemco formulate and provide natural pest control, their products areused in aquaculture for sea lice control.
NEOGEN NEOGEN provide a comprehensive range of solutions and services
focussing on improving food and animal safety, including animal/aquaculture protein
production.
Nevis Marine Ltd Nevis Marine are specialists in applied fish welfare, pest
management and innovation in the aquaculture sector.
Nordic Cover AS Nordic Cover design and develop cleaner fish habitats and lice
skirts in the aquaculture sector.
Patogen Patogen are fish health R&D experts focussing on preventing infection,disease and injury. Patogen have recently been acquired by Fürst Medical Laboratory
and recently established a new laboratory for preventative and diagnostic services
based in Oban.
PHARMAQ Analytiq UK PHARMAQ Analytiq applies research and analysis
techniques to safeguard fish health and welfare in the aquaculture sector. Previously
branded as FishVet Group under ownership of Benchmark Holdings.
Pulcea Ltd Pulcea use technical innovations to improve fish health, welfare, andproductivity.
SMIR Scotland Ltd SMIR Scotland, part of Norwegian Company SMIR, optimise fish
health and welfare including delousing of salmon. SMIT Scotland was previously
branded as Hydrolicer Scotland Ltd.
STIM STIM provide health and welfare solutions, including bacteriophage technology,
in the aquaculture. STIM was formed with merger of sister companies Europharma,
Fishguard and ACD Pharma.
Vertebrate Antibodies Vertebrate Antibodies is an emerging biotechnology company
providing antibody solutions for livestock, companion animals and fish to improveanimal health.

Water Quality
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Aqualution Systems Ltd Aqualution Systems manufacture hygiene solutions(hypochlorous acid) for agriculture and aquaculture uses.
Aquatiq Hygiene Systems Ltd Aquatiq Hygiene Systems (previously Hygiene
Teknikk) specialise in the production of cleaning systems for aquaculture dosing.
Clean Water Wave Ltd Clean Water Wave provide cost-effective water treatment
systems to transform polluted into clean water.
Dryden Aqua Ltd Dryden Aqua specialise in sustainable solutions for water treatmentof aquatic life support systems.
I & C Process Solutions I & C Process Solutions specialise in water and waste water
optimisation, treatment and recovery.
Pure Water International Ltd Pure Water International provide advanced water
filtration systems including aquaculture.
Russell Mainstream Supply Ltd Russell Mainstream Supply specialise in hygiene
and water treatments, supplying instruments to measure dissolved O 2, temperatureand pH to the aquaculture sector.
Scotmas Scotmas provide water treatment systems for use in both aquaculture andlivestock.
Sterner Aquatech Sterner Aquatech provide water treatment and electricalengineering solutions for the aquaculture sector.
Trimara Services Trimara is a provider of automated cleaning machines foraquaculture systems.
Triogen Ltd (Suez Group) Triogen specialise in ozone, UV and advanced oxidation
process for water treatment, including applications in aquaculture.

Technological innovations
Ace Aquatec Ace Aquatec are leading experts providing breakthrough technologies
to the marine and aquaculture sector.
AKVA Group AKVA are a global aquaculture and technology service provider for bothland- and offshore- aquaculture.
Algacraft Algacraft are an emerging provider of fully automated analysis of algae
growth using cutting-edge photobioreactors.
Gael Force Group Gael Force Group are an equipment and technology provider,
supplying all aspects of aquaculture production.
30

HonuWorx HonuWorx are a sub-sea robotics company specialising in robotic
operations in offshore aquaculture.
Imenco Imenco provide subsea camera, light, laser, acoustic and electronic
technologies in aquaculture and other offshore sectors.
Lallemand Aquapharm Ltd Lallemand are a marine bio-technology company
screening marine organisms to improve aquaculture systems using their patented
SeaRchTM technology.
OTAQ Ltd OTAQ Ltd, and OTAQ Aquaculture, provide innovative technology andengineering solutions to optimise aquaculture operations globally.
Precision Subsea Precision subsea are a mechanical and engineering company
specialising in subsea cameras, offering expertise in aquaculture, fisheries andoceanography, among others.
Rastech Research CIC Rastech design technology to improve sustainability of
aquaculture including novel recirculation aquaculture systems.
SalmoSim SalmoSim is a start-up from the University of Glasgow offering in vitro
systems and facilities for aquafeed nutrition, veterinary pharmaceuticals andmicrobiome assessments using an innovation simulator of the salmon gastro-intestinal
tract.
Spectis Robotics Spectis Robotics provide and manufacture world-leading robotic
crawler and camera systems for underwater and aquaculture applications.
Tritech International Limited Tritech offers innovative technologies for underwater
applications including imaging and acoustic systems.
Tritonia Scientific Tritonia provide specialist diving services for advanced scientificoperations including underwater observations using photogrammetric 3D digitalmonitoring allowing autonomous and remote monitoring.
Vaki Scotland Ltd VAKI Scotland delivers technologies to monitor and estimate stockand biomass in aquaculture systems.

Consultancy
Aquatera (Environmental Services and Products) Aquatera operates a global
environment consultancy operation with specialism in aquaculture, and other offshore,costal and land-based blue economies.
Invicta Trout Invicta Trout provide aquaculture consultancy and advisory services toland based trout farmers, covering all aspects of freshwater trout farming.

31

Simply Blue Aquaculture (Simply Blue Group) Simply Blue Aquaculture, part of the
Simply Blue Group, are a salmon farming consultancy contracting and installation
provider helping to deliver low impact aquaculture in the blue economy.

INNOVATION CENTRES & CENTRES OF EXPERTISE
Four of Scotland’s eight Scottish Government funded innovation centres are linked to
the AAA sector.
Agri-Epi Centre Agri-Epi Centre, one of 4 InnovateUK agri-tech innovation centres,
focusses on collaborations using innovation, technology and precision engineering for
UK farming. There is also a satellite farm network acting as a test-bed for agri-techresearch and development on commercial farms.
CENSIS CENSIS, one of eight innovation centres, focusses on sensing, imaging and
IoT technologies. They offer independent trusted advice and support to private
businesses and public sector organisations to accelerate innovation.
Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL) CIEL, one of four InnovateUK
agri-tech innovation centres, focusses on livestock production including innovativetechnologies. CIEL has a network of academic and industry members encompassing
all aspects of the supply chain.
ClimateXChange (CXC) CXC offer advice research and analysis to support policy
development on climate change for the Scottish Government, including throughimproving emissions from livestock and crop and soils.
Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) CREW is a Scottish Government fundedpartnership between the James Hutton Institute and all Scottish Higher Education
Institutes and Research Institutes supported by Marine Alliance for Science andTechnology for Scotland. CREW informs all areas of water policy in Scotland, by
delivering objective and robust research and expert opinion.
DataLab DataLab, one of eight innovation centres based on data and artificial
intelligence, supports Scotland to maximise value from data strengthening the thriving
data science community.
Epidemiology, Population Health and Infectious Disease Control (EPIC) EPIC,
the Scottish Government funded centre of expertise on animal disease outbreaks,
brings together a consortium of expertise in the field. The consortium consists ofUniversity of Glasgow, the James Hutton Institute, SRUC, BioSS, Moredun ResearchInstitute, Roslin Institute and the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security.

32

Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) IBioIC, one of eight Scottish
innovation centres, connects industry, academia and government, providing support
to companies to growth the Scottish biotechnology sector.
Innovation Hub for Controlled Environment Agriculture (IHCEA) Liberty Produce
and Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) have partnered to establish the Innovation
Hub for Controlled Environment Agriculture which is housed at the James Hutton
Institute, Invergowrie. IHCEA develop test and research next-generation technologies
to improve the cultivation of indoor and protected crops.
James Hutton Institute International Barley Hub and Advanced Plant GrowthCentre Two new innovation projects, totalling £62m, funded by the UK Government
and Scottish Government (through Tay Cities Region Deal) have recently started
operating (main infrastructure will be complete in 2023) and attracting new start-ups
and investment. The International Barley Hub will develop new varieties and growing
systems to future proof the barley sector against climate change. The Advanced Plant
Growth Centre (APGC) will revolutionise crop productions including the use of indoor
vertical farms ultimately reducing cop productions environmental impact. APGC’s key
foci are pre-and post-harvest technologies and solutions to support, develop andcreate plant and crop-based industries. This places the APGC at the centre of theemerging disruptive global technologies of total controlled environment agriculture
including vertical farming.
Plant Health Centre (PHC) PHC is a virtual centre of expertise funded by Scottish
Government though RESAS aiming to tackle plant health challenges. The centre is
led by James Hutton Institute with sector leads from SRUC, Royal Botanic Garden
Edinburgh and Forest Research.
Scotland 5G Centre The Scotland 5G Centre, in partnership with University ofStrathclyde, University of Glasgow, Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust,is the national centre for 5G which will accelerate deployment and adoption of 5G in
Scotland, which enables many rural communities and farms connectivity enabling
greater uptake of technology innovations.
Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) SAIC, previously Scottish
Aquaculture Innovation Centre, provides funding and support for commerciallyrelevant and collaborative research in the aquaculture sector by connecting
businesses and academics. SAIC is one of eight Scottish innovation centres to drive
growth in key economic and social importance and has >150 consortium members.

NETWORKS, CONSORTIUMS & CO-OPERATIVES

33

BioDundee BioDundee is a partnership between public, private, academic and third
sector organisations in Dundee and the surrounding areas. The BioDundee
community includes stakeholders in life sciences, research services, digital, educationand skills, medical technology and design, and professional services.
Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health Partnership between SRUC andInternational Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and funded by Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation and Department for International Development. The aim of this partnershipis to improve health and productivity of livestock to alleviate hunger, malnutrition andpoverty through genetic selection.
Easter Bush Research Consortium EBRC is a consortium of key players in the
animal and veterinary science sector and consists of the Roslin Institute, SRUC,
R(D)SVS, and Moredun Research Institute.
EIT Food EIT Food is Europe’s leading knowledge and innovation community, making
food system more sustainable. This is achieved through innovation, education,
entrepreneurship, and public engagement.
Global Scot The Global Scot network provides an international network of Scottish
businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals, offering skills, expertise andconnections to support Scottish businesses.
IoT Scotland IoT Scotland, launched in 2018 as a partnership between Scottish
Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highland and Islands Enterprise and North, is
Scotland’s national IoT network and the most advanced network in the UK.
James Hutton Institute Open Science Campus JHI operate an Open Science
Campus at Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen and Invergowrie, nr Dundee. Twelve life scienceand agri-tech organisations are co-located here including MycoNourish, Bloom
Biotechnologies, Intelligent Growth Solutions and Liberty Produce.
Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) The UK Knowledge Transfer Network forbiosciences, is at the interface of UK funding, scientific capacity, and industrial need.
KTN connect innovators with new partners and new opportunities, with expertise in
the agri-food sector.
Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS) MASTS,
formed in 2009, is a consortium of organisations involved in marine science,
representing the majority of Scotland’s research capacity.
Midlothian Science Zone Midlothian Science Zone is a world-leading centre ofresearch excellence in animal health and life sciences based in the Easter BushCampus. The cluster consists of academia, innovative companies, spin outs and startups.
Smart Rural Co-Op Smart rural co-op, a subsidiary of SAOS, is a Scottish agri-tech
farming co-op using technology to improve sustainability, efficiency and profitability of34

farming systems. Technologies are focussed on livestock, arable, environmental
monitoring and safety.

SCIENCE PARKS
European Marine Science Park Located in Oban, the European Marine Science Parkis a cluster of emerging marine businesses. The Park offers laboratory and officespace.
Inverness Campus Inverness campus, developed by Highlands and Islands
Enterprise, brings together businesses, researchers, academia and scientists
operating in life sciences, digital healthcare and technology into one location.
Pentlands Science Park Ltd Pentlands Science Park provides a supported
environment for >20 commercial tenants involved in life science R&D.
Roslin Innovation Centre The Roslin Innovation Centre, the business gateway forcompanies at Easter Bush Campus, offers flexible office and lab space to help growand accelerate opportunities in a collaborative community. The Innovation centre issituated at the heart of the Easter Bush Campus. Tenants in the centre have a focus
on animal and veterinary science, agri-tech, aquaculture and animal health.

GOVERNMENT & DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) APHA, the executive agency of DEFRA,
provide research, consultancy and, diagnosis and surveillance on farm animal
diseases.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) HIE are the economic and community
development agency, providing funding and investment in the Highlands and Islands.
Regional projects in the AAA sector include:••

European Marine Science Park – business cluster providing laboratory andoffice accommodation in marine sciences.
Inverness Campus – cluster of stakeholders in the life sciences sector,
including businesses, academics (University of Highlands and Islands andSRUC), and research institutions.

Interface Interface connects national and international industries to Scotland’s
universities, research institutes and colleges, working across all sectors.
Marine Scotland Science Marine Scotland Science, the scientific division of the
Marine Scotland Directorate, provides advice and services relating to aquaculture andprovides evidence to support policies and regulation.
35

Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) SASA, a division of the Scottish
Government, provide scientific services and advice to support Scottish agriculture.
ScotEID ScotEID works closely with the Scottish livestock sector and Scottish
Government to record animal movements (e.g. births, deaths, movement) to improve
traceability across the sector, including new regulation around electronic identificationof animals.
Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) SAOS are Scotland’s experts
on farmer co-ops and collaborations in the food sector. They provide a range ofdevelopment and consultancy services including technology innovations and data.
Scottish Development International (SDI) SDI is Scotland’s trade and inward
investment agency, with a network of >30 offices globally.
Scottish Enterprise Scottish Enterprise is an economic development agency and anon-departmental public body of the Scottish Government. Investments include
Intelligent Growth Solutions.
South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) SOSE, launched in 2020, is the economic andcommunity development agency for Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
SOSE are a partner in the dairy nexus project (see below).

CHARITIES
Equine Grass Sickness Fund The Moredun Foundation’s Equine Grass Sickness
fund is a registered charity (the only of its kind in the UK) which raises funds specificallyfor grass sickness research.
St Abbs Marine Station St Abbs Marine Station is a registered charity dedicated tomarine science, conservation, and education. It has recently started a partnership with
University of Edinburgh to increase sustainability in marine and sea ecosystems. The
station consists of a laboratory, adjoining research aquarium, and mesocosm facility.

ACCELERATORS AND VENTURE STUDIOS
Agri-Epi Centre Business Incubation Agri-Epi Centre offer office space andpractical technology business incubator workshop spaces to aid product and company
incubation.
DDI AI Accelerator The DDI AI Accelerator, financed through the Scottish Funding
Council and DDI programme, aims to scale up and accelerate data-driven AI startups.

36

Food & Agriculture Science Transformer (FAST) FAST, Scotland’s first venturestudio, is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh and Deep Science
Ventures. The programme will create high growth technology start-ups in the
agriculture sector.
HIE Pathfinder HIE’s Pathfinder provides opportunities for entrepreneurs toaccelerate their new product or business in four months including training, mentoringand networking opportunities. In March 2022, a new dedicated animal health (animal
livestock and aquaculture) cohort begun, the first of its kind in Scotland.

FUTURE AAA LANDSCAPE
Dairy Nexus and Digital Dairy Value Chain The dairy nexus, situated at SRUC’s
Barony campus, will be a start-of-the-art facility to decarbonise the dairy industry
gaining more than £21m in funding. This forms part of the Borderlands Inclusive
Growth Deal, with additional funded from UKRI’s Strength in Places Fund and Southof Scotland Enterprise (partners including CENSIS, University of Strathclyde andUniversity of West of Scotland, Afimilk among others).
Easter Bush Agri-tech Hub The Easter Bush Agri-Tech hub, funded throughEdinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal (£74m), aims to establish
Edinburgh as the data capital of the world. The new hub, which will be based at Easter
Bush, will use data to develop health and genetic innovations in the agri-science space
to transform the sector to reach net-zero and achieve sustainable food production
systems.
SeedPod SeedPod a new £21m development hub, led by Opportunity North East(ONE) and funded by the UK Government and Scottish Government (Aberdeen City
Region Deal), is due to open in 2022 on SRUC’s Craibstone Campus. SeedPod willplace businesses in the region at the forefront of innovation and sustainability driving
Scotland’s green recovery.
SRUC Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC) This £9m innovation centre,
based on the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Inverness Campus, will create andsupport the development of new and existing small to medium size businesses to growjob and the economy. The centre will focus on SRUC’s, SAC Consulting’s and SRUC
Veterinary Service’s existing expertise in animal health, infectious disease control andzoonotic disease research.
SRUC Vertical farm The new vertical farm, funded by the Scottish Government anddedicated to research, education and knowledge exchange, will be the first of its kindin a higher education institute in Scotland. The new facility will be built at the King’s
Buildings Campus in 2022.

37

SRUC Vet school SRUC’s new veterinary school, based in Aberdeen and Inverness,
will be Scotland’s first new school of veterinary medicine in >150 years. The newschool is expected to add £26 million and create 238 jobs in Scotland by 2030.
Royal DSM Bovaer will create a new production site for their novel methane reducing
feed additive for ruminants in Dalry. The new plant plans to be operational in 2025.
Centre for Agricultural Sustainability and Innovation (CASI) funded under the
Angus Deal with a location at the James Hutton Institute Balruddery LEAF Innovation
Centre will provide a field platform and facilities for testing new agri-tech technologies.

SURVEY TO KEY STAKEHOLDERSOBJECTIVES, METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTED
An online survey (Google Forms) was created and circulated to key stakeholders in
the AAA sector. The survey was circulated through Life Science Scotland’s Industry
Advisory Group (AAA Subgroup) and related contacts, social media, and regional
news/press releases. The survey was open to responses between 12th April 2021 and31st May 2021 and was fully approved by both SRUC’s Social Science Ethics
Committee and Scottish Government’s Rural & Environmental Sciences andAnalytical Services (RESAS) prior to circulation. Data collected in this survey included
basic demographic information (e.g. geographical location, company type, sectorarea), key facilities/recourses, collaborations and international links, and opinions on
current opportunities and challenges to the sector, particularly around COVID-19,
BREXIT and green recovery. A copy of the circulated survey form can be found in
Appendix 2.

RESULTS
There were 21 responses in total to this survey. Two responses were removed – one
respondent did not complete the survey fully and one respondent completed it from a
post-farm gate perspective.

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATIONOf the 19 responses, seven respondents were from research/innovation centres, sixfrom the private sector, five from academia, three from the public sector, four fromresearch/innovation centres and two responses for “other” (trade body andconsultancy). Fifteen respondents worked in the aquaculture sector, 14 in agri-techand 11 in the animal health sector, note that respondents had the option to select morethan one of the three As. The majority of respondents had headquarters in the central
belt of Scotland, particularly centred in Midlothian (Midlothian, 10; Highland, 3; City of
Edinburgh, 2; Glasgow City, 2; Argyll and Bute, 1; Perth and Kinross, 1). Respondents
38were asked to provide information on other sites out with headquarters/main office.
These included Argyll and Byte (3), Highland (3), Aberdeenshire (2), City of Edinburgh(2), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (2), Glasgow City (2), Moray (2), Orkney (2), Shetland
Islands (2), Aberdeen City (2), Angus (1), Dumfries and Galloway (1), East Lothian(1), Fife (1), Scottish Borders (1) and Midlothian (1). A summary of this can be foundin Figure 2.

Figure 2 – Geographic location of headquarters and other sites/offices of survey
respondents. Map edited from National Library of Scotland’s map of Scotland.

FACILITIES/RESOURCES
This section of the survey aimed to highlight key assets, facilities and resources within
the AAA sector in Scotland.
Key assets, resources, and facilities
Skills and expertise were identified as the top (58%) asset/resource, responses notedparticular expertise and skills in “big data” and Internet of Things (IoT) (16%),39

intellectual property (16%) and disease models, diagnostic and surveillance serves
and immunological expertise (5%). Research facilities were also identified as being
key assets and facilities within the AAA sector (53%). This includes both animal/field
facilities (37%) and lab facilities (37%), with several respondents noting goodlaboratory practice (GLP) compliance (11%). Eleven percent of respondents did not
respond to the question.
Strategic expertise
Survey respondents were asked to identify and provide information on their top threethemes for their strategic expertise. The top two themes identified were genetics andbreeding (37%) within both livestock and aquaculture sectors, and animal health(37%). Within animal health, respondents noted expertise in one health (16%), diseasediagnostics, investigations and control (16%), disease modelling (11%) andvaccines/therapeutics (11%). Other themes included agri-tech (26%) including “bigdata” and engineering expertise, aquaculture (16%), analytical services (11%),
stakeholder engagement, links to policy and regulation (11%), economic development(11%) and insect pests (5%). Five percent of respondents did not answer the question.
This is summarized in Figure 3.

Figure 3 – Word Cloud of strategic expertise in the AAA sector in Scotland.

40

Strongest asset/unique selling point
Expertise within the sector was identified as the greatest asset (53%), this included
cross-sector and multidisciplinary expertise (21%), expertise in data and data analytics(21%), animal health and disease modelling (11%) and genetics (5%). Other assets
included facilities (26%), both laboratory-based facilities (11%) and animal/trial (5%)
facilities. Further responses included strong networks (32%) including “national andinternational networks” (16%), being at the “epi-centre of the highest concentration ofanimal related expertise in Europe” (Easter Bush Campus; 5%) and business supportand economic development (11%). This is summarized in Figure 4.

Figure 4 – Strongest asset/unique selling point of the AAA sector in Scotland
Unique AAA sector
This question aimed to identify what respondents thought made the AAA sector in
Scotland unique. Responses included the expertise and scientific strength of thesector (32%), being based the European epi-centre for animal bioscience (Easter
Bush Campus; 32%), the multidisciplinary nature of the sector (16%), strong
collaborations (nationally and internationally; 16%) and international reputation (16%).
41

Other responses included our natural assets (16%) including “Scotland’s vast
coastline and healthy water bodies”, the scale of the sector (5%) and current
infrastructure (5%). Five percent responded that they were “unsure” what made the
AAA sector unique and a further 5% responded that it is not unique.

COLLABORATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LINKS
This section of the survey aimed to explore collaborations and links both within
Scotland, wider within the UK and internationally.

Collaborations (Scotland)
Most responses noted collaborations with academic institutes within Scotland (53%).
Strong links and collaborations were noted with innovation centres (32%), companies(26%) including contract research organisations, biocampuses/science parks (11%),
trade bodies (11%), manufacturing partners (5%), co-ops (5%), city and region deals(5%) and Scottish Government (5%). Six percent of respondents did not answer thequestion.

Collaborations (outside Scotland/Internationally)
Strong links were noted within Europe (58%), including links to the UK (i.e., Wales,
England, Northern Ireland; 32%), France (5%), Denmark (5%), Sweden (5%) and theNetherlands (5%). In addition, respondents recorded strong links with North America(21%) including the USA (11%), Canada (5%) and the Caribbean (5%), and SouthAmerica (16%) including Chile (5%) and Mexico (5%). Collaborations were also notedwith Asia (16%), for instance China (5%), Japan (5%) and India (5%), and Africa (11%)
including Kenya (11%) and South Africa (5%). Furthermore, links and collaborations
with Australia (5%) and New Zealand (5%) were evident. Eleven percent identified thatthey did have collaborations outside Scotland but provided no further response and
26% did not respond to this question.

Spin-out companies in AAA sector
Respondents noted multiple spin out companies including MycoNourish, Roslin
Technologies Ltd, Green Bioactives Ltd, Wobble Genetics Ltd, Censo Biotechnologies
Ltd, Ingenza Ltd, Vetsina Ltd, Wormvax Australia, BioBest, Bells Isolators, SAMSEnterprise and SOLASTA Bio. A full description of each of these companies (thosewhich are based in Scotland/relevant to AAA) can be found in the stakeholder
inventory (see appendix 1). Several respondents also noted that they are able to42

provide funding to incubate start-ups and spin-out companies, including the Food andAgriculture Science Transformer (FAST) venture studio.

OPPORTUNITIESThis section of the survey aimed to identify opportunities presented to the sector,
including how current events (e.g. BREXIT, COVID-19, green recovery) open
opportunities.

New opportunities becoming available
Sustainable production systems (37%) were identified as the greatest opportunity,
particularly for aquaculture (26%), agriculture (16%) and renewable energy (5%).
Other opportunities identified included the use of agri-tech and digital innovations(32%) to promote and achieve net zero targets (5%) and increase automation ofsystems (5%), green recovery and net zero targets (responses not mentioning use ofagri-tech/digital innovations; 21%), big data and analytics (21%) including the potential
for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (11%) and potential of the new
University of Edinburgh’s new supercomputer (5%). Novel and alternative production
systems (11%) were also identified as opportunities particularly the use of vertical
farming (5%), in addition to opportunities associated with the circular economy (16%),
the blue economy (16%) and new venture studios (e.g. FAST; 11%) allowing
development of new companies. Genetic technologies (11%) including microbiome
and gene therapy, animal health (5%) including zoonosis, disease infection/control,
immunostimulants and antimicrobial resistance, food security (5%) and knowledge
exchange/experience sharing were also identified as new opportunities. Five percent
of respondents did not respond to this question. This is summarised in Figure 5.

43Figure 5 – New opportunities coming available to the AAA sector in Scotland

Opportunities would like to see
The aim of this question was to identify opportunities respondents would like to see
becoming available. Responses included increased promotion of the sector and its
impact (26%) especially in the areas of wastewater treatment (11%), increased R&D(21%) particularly in the following areas:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Aquaculture (11%)
Gene therapy and the microbiome (5%)
Sustainability (5%)
Agriculture (5%)
Companion animals (5%)
Animal health (5%)
Zoonosis (5%)
IoT, machine learning and AI (5%)

Increased funding and financial support (16%), training and upskilling in the sector(11%) particularly around data/data handling/data analysis (5%), increase in
exchanging and sharing of data (16%) and greater distribution of infrastructure acrossthe sector (5%) were also acknowledged as areas to provide opportunities. Elevenpercent of respondents did not provide a response.

44Support would like to see available
Respondents were asked to provide details of what support they would like to see
becoming available. By far the largest response was increased funding opportunities(68%), particularly increased funding dedicated to the AAA sector (16%), translational
research (11%), collaborative projects (5%) and private and public sector co-fundingfor “the “D” part of R&D, this is a bottleneck” (5%). Increased support forcommunications and networking (21%) both within the science community and to thewider public, increased investment (16%) for retention and upskilling of technical skills
and staff (11%) and early career researchers (5%), and the need for a dynamic
regulatory body within the AAA sector to “work closely with innovation companies andinstitutes, in order to fully realise AAA potential” (11%) were also identified as areas
for further support. Note that innovation regulation is discussed further in the “AAAinnovation regulation” section below. In addition, “a focussed strategy/plan” within the
sector (5%) and cluster/working group to identify funding opportunities andcollaborations (5%). These results are summarised in Figure 6.

Figure 6 – Areas where the AAA sector require greater support.

Opportunities around current events
The aim of this question was to identify if current events (e.g. COVID-19, BREXIT,
Green Recovery etc.) open opportunities within the AAA sector, and if so how. Green45

recovery was identified as the largest opportunity (42%), with opportunities in usingagri-tech (“agri-tech should be at the centre of green recovery funding”; 16%), circular
economy (5%), economic incentives for “low carbon” technologies (5%), marine
initiatives (5%) and collaborations (5%). COVID-19 was identified as having large
opportunities (32%), including opening up opportunities for greater zoonosis/emerging
disease research (11%), new business models and adapted ways of working (11%),and remote monitoring (5%). BREXIT opens opportunities to develop regulatory
systems to enable innovation including genetic technologies to be regulated at the
Scottish or UK level (5%) and potential for increased investment in agri-tech (5%).
Current events (not specified which) enables diversification of activities and refocusingof research activities (16%) including increased data sharing (5%), enables crisis
driven innovation (5%), greater impact driven investment (5%) and greaterinternational collaborations (5%). Five percent of respondents said that it was too early
to say if there have been or are any opportunities. Sixteen percent of respondents did
not provide a response to this question.
Countries/companies/academics would like to work withThis survey question identified if there are any countries/companies/academic
institutes that respondents would like links to be established with. Twenty-one percent
of respondents answered yes but did not provide specific detail or noted that they areopen to work with all. Other responses included working worldwide/international
clusters (21%), including New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Netherlands, Singapore,
South Korea, Canada and Latin America, and academic institutions in Scotland (16%),
specifically noting Roslin Institute, SRUC, SAMS, James Hutton Institute and SAIC.
Forty-two percent of respondents did not respond to the question.

CHALLENGES
This section of the survey aimed to identify challenges presented to the sector,
including from current events (e.g. BREXIT, COVID-19, green recovery).

Challenges in the sector
This survey question aimed to identify the top 3 challenges facing the AAA sector in
Scotland at present. The largest challenges identified were lack of funding (47%),
increasing climate change and environmental pressures (26%), Brexit (21%) including
Brexit’s impact on limiting investment (5%), administrative burdens (5%) and issues
importing raw materials/access to markets (5%), AAA regulation (16%) and missingout on opportunities/falling behind on competition (11%) particularly caused by “slowdecision making [on funding applications]”. Other challenges include the potential of
Scottish Independence (11%) which “may result in lower research funding if access to
UK gov funding will no longer be possible”, lack of visibility/disjointed nature of thesector (11%) and lack of co-ordination of funding and resources (11%). Further
46

challenges included COVID-19 impacting businesses and customers (5%), lack ofskills and lack of retention of skilled workers (5%), low number of farmers uptake ofagri-tech (5%) and public perception of the agricultural/livestock sector and lack ofperceived value (5%). Eleven percent of respondents did not respond to the question.
A word cloud of responses provided can be found in Figure 7.

Figure 7 – Word Cloud of challenges facing the sector.

Resources/facilities lacking
Respondents were asked to identify which resources, facilities and expertise arelacking within the sector. Dedicated AAA funding (21%) for future infrastructure andmaintenance of current infrastructure was identified as the main resource lacking.
Sixteen percent noted that the AAA sector has adequate facilities, however
respondents did note that facilities could be improve with further and on-goinginvestment. Other responses included lacking leadership and organisation (16%),
lacking collaborations (16%) including “perhaps more agri innovation centres which
act as catalysts for SMEs/academia to develop cutting edge technologies for thesector which enhances Scotland’s international competitiveness in this sector”,
technical and data skills (11%) including bioinformatics, knowledge on
use/maintenance of specialist equipment and “greater understanding of all players inthe sector”, innovation test sites and trial facilities (11%), translational research andexpertise (11%), access to skills in rural Scotland (5%) and lack of public engagement(5%). Eleven percent did not provide a response.

Areas for improvement47

Largest responses related to improving collaborations and partnerships within the
sector (37%), one respondent noted “collaboration between industry and the public
sector to drive green growth and COVID-19 economic recovery”, and communication(26%) including “communication and showcasing Scotland’s strengths and assets toitself and the rest of the world”. Other responses including funding and impact,
specifically in the AAA sector (11%), appreciation of the value of science “withingovernment and the wider public” (11%), attracting skills and work to Scotland (5%),
research commercialisation, internationalisation and entrepreneurship (5%),
regulation and licencing (5%), prioritising issues (5%) “to provide resilience for Scottish
economy in the coming decades” and a stronger private sector base (5%). Sixteen
percent of respondents did not provide a response. A summary of this can be found in
Figure 8.

Figure 8 – Areas for improvement in the AAA sector in Scotland.

Challenges during current events
This question aimed to identify if current events (e.g. COVID-19, BREXIT etc.)
negatively impacted the sector or prevented opportunities. Brexit was identified as themain challenge (42%) including issues with importing/exporting goods and materials(11%), labour shortages (11%), increased administrative burden and “red-tape” (11%),threatening of the food supply chain/disruption to markets (11%), loss of access tofunding and (5%), damaging confidence with colleagues across Europe (5%) andincreases in costs (5%). Similarly, COVID-19 was noted as negatively impacting the48

sector (11%) by reducing research capacity in laboratory-based work (due to social
distancing; 5%), thereby either increasing the cost due to increased space required(5%) or reducing the pace of research (5%). Green recovery may “focus on a single
factor of greenhouse gas reduction rather than the wider issues of resource use
reduction” (5%). Eleven percent of respondents notes that current events create
opportunities rather than challenges, and 5% responded that businesses are surviving
over growing: “level of change is impacting business capacity to respond toopportunities as they correctly prioritise remaining in business over growth”. Elevenpercent did not respond to this question.

SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONSThis survey highlighted strengths, opportunities and challenges within the AAA sector,
whilst survey uptake was lower than expected the responses collated did provide great
insight into the sector. The survey highlights skills, expertise and research facilities(both animal/field and laboratory) are key assets within the AAA sector in Scotland.
The sector has many strategic expertise, the main ones identified in this survey were
genetics and breeding, animal health, agri-tech and aquaculture. This expertise, alongwith facilities, are the sector’s greatest resource. A large proportion of this expertise isbased in and around Easter Bush Campus, the European epicentre for animal
bioscience. The sector has strong links and collaborations within Scotland, the wider
UK, and worldwide. Respondents noted that current events open many opportunities,
including the use of/research into novel and alternative production systems, agri-tech,
digital innovations, low carbon technologies and advanced data analytics (e.g.
machine learning and AI) to create sustainable systems for green recovery and toallow Scotland to achieve net zero GHG emissions targets by 2045. However, there
are also lots of challenges associated with current events, particularly Brexit, including
limiting investment, increased administrative burdens, reduced access tomaterials/issues with importing materials, labour shortages and the threat of foodsupply chain disruption. COVID-19 also presents challenges including reducing
research capacity, especially in laboratory-based work/research.
Below we set out recommendations for support from challenges highlighted in thissurvey:••Increased research and development, funding opportunities and financial
support dedicated to the AAA sector. This is by far the largest challenge facing
the sector.
Increased support for communication and promotion of the sector and its
impact, both within the science community and wider public. A specific target
for this may be the private sector which can aid in attracting enabling
investment. There is a need for improved collaboration and partnerships within
the sector.
49

•
•

•

•

Increased training and upskilling, especially around data/data handling/data
analytics.
There is a need for a dynamic regulatory body for new innovations which canallow AAA to reach its full potential (see full description in “AAA Innovation
Regulation” section.
There is a lack of co-ordination of funding and resources leading to a disjointed
AAA sector, leading to a need for a more organised approach. This includes
greater understanding of the sector to allow for increased collaborations.
There is a lack of dedicated test sites and trial facilities for new innovations.

AAA INNOVATION REGULATIONAs noted in the survey results section above, one of the challenges facing the sector
is regulation around new innovations. There is an increased interest for the UK, as
well as devolved nations, to change regulation and legislation to ensure innovations,which can help improve efficiencies, reduce waste, and contribute to green recovery,
are delivered to the sector. This is now possible post-Brexit as the UK is not governedby EU legislation on these matters. There have been historic occasions wheninnovation has happened in response to policy and heightened concerns for theenvironment, for example SOLASTA BIO and their novel next generation green
insecticide which target insect pests alone and not beneficial pollinators. However,there have also been examples of legislation barriers in recent years, which has
impacted Scotland’s ability to develop and adopt new technologies/innovations, someexamples in aquaculture:•

Environmental DNA (eDNA). The framework which regulates emissions frommarine fish farms requires farmers to monitor potential impacts on the seabedboth beneath and surrounding the farm. This has previously been achieved byassessing biodiversity using benthic taxonomy (e.g., manually identifying andcounting individual organisms) which is a time consuming and labour-intensive
process often taking several months for samples to be reported. Often, by thistime, fish farms have restocked and results therefore do not provide real-time
results for that current production cycle. In 2015, the sector was approached byresearchers interested in investigating the use of eDNA as an alternative to the
traditional benthic taxonomy approach. Initially the regulator was unwilling toconsider alternatives to the traditional benthic approach, however, the following
year the regulator changed their position allowing two “proof of concept”
projects focusing on eDNA and a further project confirming the potential ofusing eDNA. Currently the technology is sufficiently robust to be used as ascreening tool for benthic regulatory compliance gaining £2 million funding tofurther develop the work into a full regulatory and on-farm (and in cycle)
50•environmental assessment tool, with hopes it will be operational within the next
three years.
Innovation Farms. There has long been a desire and need to develop
innovation farms which support the development and trialling of innovativetechnologies. However, the current regulatory system provides no incentives
for such farms despite the many benefits, both short and long term, including
environmental protection, fish health and welfare and climate change
mitigations. A review of the regulatory system governing marine aquaculture isunderway under the Griggs Review. This review aims to make Scottish
aquaculture legislation one of the most effective and transparent in the world.

Other examples of technologies and innovations facing regulatory barriers include
gene editing, genetic modification, phage technologies and probiotics in aquaculture,and the use of insect protein (especially as an alternative protein in ruminant andmonogastric production systems). More recently, it was announced that regulation ofgene-edited crops would be relaxed1 in England, however, it is also important to notethat innovation acceptance in destined markets (e.g. EU) is also crucial to adoption.

1https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/genetically-modified-food-a-

step-closer-in-england-as-laws-relaxed51

Appendix 1. Stakeholder Inventory
LINK TO ONLINE INVENTORY

Appendix 2. Survey – Strengths, Opportunities and Challenges in the AAA
sector in Scotland
You are invited to participate in this online survey to identify strengths andopportunities within the animal health, agri-tech and aquaculture (AAA) sector in
Scotland. The AAA sector in Scotland is important to both life sciences and technology
sectors and underpins its high performing food and drink industry. However, to datelittle validated information exists on Scotland’s contributions to this sector and its
global impact. The information collected in this survey will be used to increase theunderstanding of the AAA landscape within Scotland including strengths,
opportunities, and challenges. This includes creation of an inventory of current
companies and facilities along with creation of promotional material to raise awarenessof this sector. This research is funded by the Scottish Environment, Food andAgriculture Research Institutes (SEFARI) and the Scottish Government incollaboration with Life Science Scotland’s Industry Leadership Group (AAA subgroup)and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
We understand that some information may be confidential, so providing details foreach question is optional. You will receive no direct benefits from participating in thisresearch study. However, your responses will help us to understand the current AAA
landscape and identify strengths and challenges, and map current sectoral
opportunities. Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary and you can withdraw
at any time, even after completion. By agreeing to participate in this survey you havethe option to complete this anonymously, however, anonymous responses cannot be
withdrawn.
This survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete.
Responses to the survey will be stored in a password protected electronic format withaccess to responses restricted via a 2-step verification process. There are no known
risks associated with this survey; however, as with any online related activity the riskof a breach is always possible. We will minimize any risks by storing survey data
securely on a remote server with restricted access, email addresses will be stored
separate to individual responses. For further information or queries please contact
Jenna Bowen (Jenna.Bowen@sruc.ac.uk)
I agree to participate in this survey
Yes/No52

SECTION 1 – BASIC COMPANY INFORMATION
We understand that some information may be confidential, so providing details foreach question is optional. However, your responses will help us to understand thecurrent AAA landscape and identify strengths, opportunities, and challenges.
What is your company/institute name?
Please select your sector. Select all that apply, if selecting "other" please provide more
information in the box below.
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Academic
Private Sector
Public Sector
Research Centre
Prefer not to say

Please select your sector, note that you can select more than one option.
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Animal HealthAgri-tech
Aquaculture
Prefer not to say

In which Scottish local authority are your headquarters based?
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Aberdeen City
Aberdeenshire
Angus
Argyll and Bute
City of Edinburgh
Clackmannanshire
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Dumfries and Galloway
DundeeEast Ayrshire
East Dunbartonshire
East LothianEast Renfrewshire
Falkirk
Fife
Glasgow City
HighlandInverclyde
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Midlothian
Moray
North Ayrshire
North Lanarkshire
OrkneyPerth and KinrossRenfrewshire
Scottish Borders
Shetland Islands
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
Stirling
West Dunbartonshire
West LothianDo you have other sites out with your headquarters? If so, please select all that apply.
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Aberdeen City
Aberdeenshire
Angus
Argyll and Bute
City of Edinburgh
Clackmannanshire
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Dumfries and Galloway
DundeeEast Ayrshire
East Dunbartonshire
East LothianEast Renfrewshire
Falkirk
Fife
Glasgow City
HighlandInverclyde
Midlothian
Moray
North Ayrshire
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North Lanarkshire
OrkneyPerth and KinrossRenfrewshire
Scottish Borders
Shetland Islands
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
Stirling
West Dunbartonshire
West Lothian

SECTION 2 – FACILITIES/RESOURCES
We understand that some information may be confidential, so providing details foreach question is optional. However, your responses will help us to understand thecurrent AAA landscape and identify strengths, opportunities, and challenges.

What are your company's key assets, resources and facilities within the AAA space?

What are your strategic expertise (e.g. vaccines, genetics etc.) - please provide
information on your top 3 themes.

What is your strongest asset or unique selling point?

What do you think makes the AAA sector in Scotland unique?

SECTION 3 – COLLABORATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LINKS
We understand that some information may be confidential, so providing details foreach question is optional. However, your responses will help us to understand thecurrent AAA landscape and identify strengths, opportunities, and challenges.

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Do you have collaborations with other companies/institutes within Scotland? If so, andyou are willing to expand on these, please list which companies and the nature ofthese links.

Do you have collaborations with external companies outside Scotland orinternationally? If so, and you are willing to expand on these, please list which
companies and the nature of these links.

Do you have any spin-out companies relevant to the AAA sector? If so, please provide
more information.

SECTION 4 – OPPORTUNITIESWe understand that some information may be confidential, so providing details foreach question is optional. However, your responses will help us to understand thecurrent AAA landscape and identify strengths, opportunities, and challenges.

In your opinion, what new opportunities are becoming available to the AAA sector in
Scotland?

What opportunities would you like to see become available?

What support would you like to see?

Do current events (e.g. COVID-19, Brexit, green recovery) open opportunities? If so,how?

Are there any countries/companies/academic institutes that would like to work with?

SECTION 5 – CHALLENGES
We understand that some information may be confidential, so providing details foreach question is optional. However, your responses will help us to understand thecurrent AAA landscape and identify strengths, opportunities, and challenges.
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What are the top 3 challenges facing the AAA sector in Scotland at present?

What resources/facilities/expertise do we lack?

What areas do we need to improve on?

Do current events (e.g. COVID-19, Brexit, green recovery) negatively affect this sector
or prevent opportunities? If so, how?

SECTION 5 – THANK YOU
Thank you for your participation in this survey. If you are willing to be contacted about
your responses in the future please tick the below box and provide preferred contact
details below.

[Tick-box]

Name and email address, or preferred contact details (leave empty if you wish toremain anonymous).

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