New chapter begins for British and Irish animal science
A new era of British-Irish partnership in animal and agricultural science was marked at Leinster House, where leaders from government, academia, research and industry gathered to strengthen collaboration.
It was the official launch of the next chapter in the history of an organisation which began life in 1944, became the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) and has now evolved into the British and Irish Society of Animal Science (BISAS).
Senator Victor Boyhan, with the support of Verona Murphy, Ceann Comhairle, hosted the gathering which highlighted what was described as an "ambitious new phase for animal science".
Senator Boyhan said the relationship between Ireland and Great Britain "is deep rooted, shaped by our shared history, geography, family and business ties".
"Despite the political and economic shifts following Brexit, the ties between the two nations remain profound and our agricultural trading arrangements to GB, very significant.
"The British and Irish Society of Animal Science (BISAS) is a very significant body supporting animal science in the UK and Republic of Ireland," the senator added.
BISAS
According to the BISAS the launch at Leinster House - which was also attended by Minister of State, Noel Grealish and the British Ambassador to Ireland, Kara Owens - underlines its ambitions for the future.
BISAS wants to position Britain and Ireland as "a leading and influential voice in Europe" on key issues including climate action, sustainable food systems, rural resilience, animal health and innovation in agriculture.
The society also said that the "strengthened partnership aims to ensure that science and evidence remain central to industry innovation as well as future policy development and overall sustainable livestock production".
It believes the new BISAS identity "reinforces a shared British and Irish commitment to advancing world-class animal science, supporting sustainable agriculture and amplifying the international influence of research and innovation from both islands".
Representatives from organisations including the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Teagasc, DAERA and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also stressed at the launch "the value of decades of collaboration in strengthening scientific capability, informing policy and driving innovation across the livestock and agri-food sectors".
