The National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) has launched a new field-trials initiative with the acquisition of Westcrop, a Wiltshire-based specialist field trials and crop services company.

"Over the years, NIAB has worked with Westcrop on a number of joint projects," said Simon Draper, NIAB's deputy director and Westcrop's new chairman. "We knew the set-up and liked what we saw in terms of Westcrop's adaptability and entrepreneurial approach. It seemed natural to come together and complement this with NIAB's strong science base.

"We've made a firm commitment that Westcrop will retain its operational independence, with small-company flexibility to match delivery to customers' expectations."

Under the new arrangement, Westcrop will offer a full range of agrochemical, seed and variety services, including pan-European testing, covering all regions in the UK and 12 centres in the EU.

"With just one seed submission, we can do all the necessary work and report back with results relevant to the whole of Europe," said Dr Draper. "For specialist crops, we can even arrange testing in the US."

European trial centres cover eastern, northern, western and south-western France; Emilia Romagna, Sicily, Apulia and Piemonte in Italy as well as Spain and Germany. Three Californian centres and one in Arkansas are available in the US.

"I am pleased that Westcrop's David Miles will continue as md and I look forward to working closely with him to develop and improve the service we provide to existing and new customers," concluded Dr Draper.

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