Collaborative approach to research under threat in post-Brexit era

The James Hutton Institute, based at twin campuses in Dundee and Aberdeen, also relies heavily on EU funding, with £3m of its annual £37m income coming from Brussels. Funds are split between crop science and land use research.

However, chief executive Colin Campbell agreed it was not all about money.

“Brexit, however it eventually transpires, has potential to have far reaching effects on science,” he said.

“It will be essential to recognise, preserve and enhance the great benefits we have thus far gained from the EU. These included the free movement of labour which provides mobility to the best researchers to work in Scotland and the UK, keeping our international lead in agricultural research.

“But the situation is also an opportunity to look at new ways of keeping the current and perhaps new international collaborations as part of the way we work. There are also opportunities to take a fresh look at policy and ask if it is fit for purpose and still meeting contemporary needs. This will need robust scientific evidence and analysis.”

There was, however, a caution about international, as opposed to European, collaboration.

“Farming systems in northern Europe tend to have a lot in common. There will often be a benefit in working closely with scientists from those countries as opposed to regions of the world where agricultural conditions are considerably different,” he said.

Although asked to comment on the likely positive or negative effects of Brexit on agricultural research, Defra Secretary Andrea Leadsom said only: “Our continued investment in state-of-the-art science and technology is making our farmers among the most efficient and productive in the world.

“We are recognised as a global hub of agricultural research, leading the way in finding solutions to some of the world’s greatest agricultural challenges.”