The Scottish Government has announced that a new evaluation has come to the conclusion that a research programme has contributed almost £700 million to the Scottish economy.
Helping to create jobs, improve educational qualifications, reduce the impacts of animal diseases, and save carbon emissions, the £50 million investment every year from the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA) Strategic Research Programme has helped to improve focus on some very key areas. The issues being covered include both the agricultural and environmental sectors, with successful past projects including:
- Monitoring Covid in Scottish wastewater
- Coastal Erosion and Flooding
- Reintroducing hemp as a healthy, environmental crop
With the evaluation of these projects showing that £680 million has been contributed to the Scottish economy, this will also form the basis of improvements to the delivery of new projects in 2022-2027.
Mairi Gougeon, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Secretary, said:
“The Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Strategic Research Programme has funded world-class research at Scotland’s SEFARI Research Institute that addresses nationally relevant goals around protecting and sustaining Scotland’s environment.
During the pandemic, the monitoring of Covid-19 in Scottish wastewater was a crucial part of the government’s emergency response – helping us to measure the spread and mutation of the virus and keep people safe.
“Research has addressed many other challenges including animal and plant health, regenerative farming water quality, peatland restoration and land reform. Resulting science has helped to shape government policy and support innovation by Scottish producers and land managers.
“As Scotland’s climate changes, this research has supported business resilience and future-ready communities across the nation.”
