Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA)

Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), a division of the Scottish Government Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate, provides scientific services and advice to support Scotland’s agriculture and environment.

SASA occupies a world class laboratory, glasshouse and experimental farm facility on the outskirts of Edinburgh where a community of 100 scientists and their supporters work to ensure the quality, safety and security of their food supply in Scotland, and contribute to the quality of their environment.

The work of SASA biologists and chemists is aimed at:
 
  • Ensuring the quality of seeds and tubers for planting, and new crop varieties;
  • Keeping field and horticultural crops free of damaging diseases;
  • Keeping serious pests of plants out of the UK and Scotland;
  • Acting as the Scottish Government's Inspectorate of genetically-modified crops;
  • Developing new and more sensitive diagnostic tests for pests and diseases;
  • Preserving and maintaining a wide range of historic, heritage and other varieties of potatoes, cereals, peas and brassicas;
  • Monitoring the pesticide load in their diet, and the pattern of use of pesticides in Scotland;
  • Protecting wildlife against deliberate or accidental poisoning;
  • Understanding the ecology of important vertebrate species (e.g. rabbits, foxes, geese).

该公司新闻

PCN and blackleg main topics at Cambridge potato conference
一月 21, 2023

PCN and blackleg main topics at Cambridge potato conference

Potato industry challenges posed by PCN and blackleg were among the topics discussed at the recent Cambridge University Potato Growers’ Association (CUPGRA) annual conference.
Seed potato body to rise from ashes of AHDB
三月 29, 2022

Seed potato body to rise from ashes of AHDB

A meeting of Scottish seed potato growers in Forfar this week has agreed to set up a co-op to represent the sector. The new body, which is as yet unnamed, aims to deliver four outcomes for the seed potato sector
A Potato So Big Even Guinness World Records Doesn't Believe It.
一月 26, 2022

A Potato So Big Even Guinness World Records Doesn't Believe It

Colin and Donna Craig-Brown found the questionably large potato growing in their yard in November 2021. They even named the potato Dug and submitted their surprisingly large find to Guinness World Records (via Food & Wine).
James Hutton Institute outlines plans for a 'Potato Innovation Hub' at Potatoes in Practice 2021
八月 24, 2021

James Hutton Institute outlines plans for a 'Potato Innovation Hub' at Potatoes in Practice 2021

Recent advances in breeding technologies can be harnessed to fast track the breeding of new varieties. Sensors and drone technologies are driving integrated pest management solutions.