The UK agricultural community stands to gain major research and development benefits from a new Brazilian LaBex partnership which saw its first South American scientist start work at Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire in January.

The initiative, facilitated by the Warwickshire-based International Agri-Technology Centre Ltd (IATC), "provides a unique means of developing collaborative research programmes on a national scale that will benefit British and Brazilian farmers," according to sustainable agriculture specialist Dr David Dent.

Brazilian scientist Dr Alexandre Amaral joined Rothamsted last month and an official launch of the LabEx project takes place in London on March 31, with distinguished guests from Brazil and the UK in attendance.

Dr Dent, former managing director of CABI BioScience, said: "The IATC is committed to developing opportunities for UK agri-food science organisations through its activities in target countries, including Brazil, and it has worked tenaciously for some four years, hosting successful inward and outward missions for academics, government officials and companies to cement this deal.”

The exchange programme is being conducted in partnership with the Brazilian National Agricultural Research Institute (EMBRAPA) and follows on from similar international partnerships in France and the US.

A spokesman for Rothamsted Research said: "In addition to the selected scientists developing their area of expertise, they will also act to strengthen and widen the scientific and technological co-operation between EMBRAPA and UK scientists."

It is expected that the collaboration will expand to other UK institutes and the IATC is committed to assisting in this process to ensure the maximum benefits of this relationship for UK agriculture.

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