A pioneering Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Endemic Livestock Disease Initiative event, supported by Kingshay, celebrated the achievements of the transdisciplinary research projects helping deliver more effective health outcomes.

The Endemic Livestock Diseases Initiative (ELD) is co-funded by BBSRC, Defra, Daera and The Scottish Government, and aims to meaningfully reduce the overall level and impact of endemic disease on the UK livestock sector, to improve productivity and the health and welfare of animals.

Hosted at NFU’s headquarters in Stoneleigh on 25 October, the event brought together prominent animal health figures, farming representatives and policymakers from AHDB, BBSRC, BCVA, BVA, PVS, NFU and Defra. Each organisation shared their current priorities across the livestock sector with current grant funding holders.

Veterinary professionals, industry stakeholders and academics from five of the 36 projects that have received funding from phase one of the initiative also gave insights into their research’s impact.

Representing the event organiser Kingshay, part of the VetPartners group, senior clinical director, Tim Potter, believed the day provided an opportunity to showcase the initiative’s focus on co-design.

“At Kingshay, we deliver evidence-based livestock solutions, and our ongoing trials, investigation and industry reports fully align with the approach of the BBSRC initiative. We’re therefore delighted to be involved in bringing so many industry leaders together with researchers to consider its positive impact,” he said. 

“Research is fundamental to addressing specific animal health challenges, but this is most effective when farmers are invited to contribute to the process, as we’ve seen today.”

Dr Potter explained that endemic diseases cost the farming industry £710 million pounds annually.

“To start reducing the economic, environmental, and emotional costs of disease we must drive change at farm level. This means involving farmers from the outset in scoping a project’s parameters,” he said.

“During these early-stage interactions, academics must identify the barriers and specific challenges that farmers face, as well as promote knowledge exchange throughout the lifetime of the research.”

Dr Esther Harper, senior portfolio manager (farmed animals) at the BBSRC, played an instrumental role in rolling out the Endemic Livestock Disease Initiative. She opened and closed the event by focusing on the reach of the available funding.

“To date, the BBSRC and its’ co-funders has issued £11.5 million of grant funding to 36 bio-science projects, encompassing 45 collaborative partnerships, and bringing together 170 end users including vets, farmers and policymakers,” she said.

“Phase two of the initiative is underway and we’ll continue to support collaborative research and innovation that aims to reduce the overall levels and impact of endemic disease on livestock productivity and the health and welfare of animals.”

The BBSRC has also opened applications for funding for the Business and Academia Prosperity Partnership (round two).  Further details can be found online Business and academia prosperity partnership: round 2 – UKRI