The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) launched a consultation on the details of a proposed investment of more than £1 million in a new farm-scale research facility at North Wyke Research in Devon.

North Wyke Research is part of Rothamsted Research which itself is a BBSRC institute and is the oldest research station in the UK.

BBSRC has committed funding to the development of a farm-based research platform at North Wyke to enable scientists to understand how different approaches affect the productivity and sustainability of farming. This will include examining the environmental impact of agricultural activity within the farm environment.

The new platform will be based on currently farmed land at the North Wyke research station and will involve the installation of new ditches, drainage and the latest instrumentation.

Before finalising plans for the farm-based platform an open consultation has been launched. BBSRC is hoping that scientists, farmers and other key stakeholders will take the opportunity to answer questions about scientific priorities, funding models and access to the facility. BBSRC is hoping specific scientific and technical aspects of the platform will be addressed.

Prof Janet Allen, BBSRC director of research, said: "We need to grow more food sustainably in this country. Pressures on global food production from growing populations and changing consumption patterns mean we have no option. However, we can't do this at the expense of the environment. To understand how farming and the environment interact, scientists need to be able to study the whole agriculture system and the most important part of this is at the farm level. The new investment will provide the UK with a significant tool to develop sustainable ways to deliver secure food supplies.

"It is important that BBSRC investments deliver results for their users and value-for-money for the UK public. This consultation will give everyone interested in this project, including scientists, farmers and the local community, the chance to have their views heard before final plans are made."

The consultation is open now and will close on December 18.

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