Two of the best known names in UK crop research are to join forces.

Kent-based East Malling Research (EMR) has become part of the NIAB group in a move which claims it will strengthen NIAB’s ambition to lead the UK in crop innovation. According to the two organisations, EMR brings international leadership in top fruit and soft fruit research, complementing NIAB’s scientific expertise in arable crops, potatoes and ornamentals.

In research terms, the integration will align EMR’s internationally renowned capabilities in horticultural and environmental science, including expertise in plant breeding, soil science, water use and biological pest control, alongside NIAB’s existing strengths in genetics and pre-breeding, variety evaluation, agronomy research, precision farming and informatics.

The combined organisation, employing more than 300 staff and have a turnover in excess of £22 million. NIAB EMR will be established as a wholly owned subsidiary of NIAB, and will continue to operate from its existing site at East Malling in Kent.

CEO of the combined organisation, Dr Tina Barsby, commented, “This move creates a potent new force in independent applied research, bringing together the scientific expertise required to support progressive crop production at all levels, and represents a major step forward in NIAB’s plans. Our experience of merger and acquisition in recent years – including the successful integration of TAG and CUF as part of the NIAB business – puts us in a strong position to realise the full potential of a combined organisation.”

Photo Credit: NIAB

The post Boost for UK crop science as NIAB and EMR join forces appeared first on Hort News on 10 Feb 2016.