The Institute for Agri-Food Research and Innovation (IAFRI) will achieve its vision of innovation in research across the agri-food supply chain.

Achieving our vision

It will do this through targeting research to deliver sustainable solutions to problems. Particularly those facing Fera's diverse customer base in the agri-food chain.

IAFRI will bring together the best multidisciplinary research talent in the social and natural sciences to provide innovation in research. This will drive new solutions, techniques, skills and best practice in the agri-food and associated environment sector.

Institute resources will focus on innovative solutions that benefit society as well as driving economic growth for the medium and long term.

Two international centres of excellence

We bring together two international centres of excellence into one organisation. This helps us to deliver innovative agri-food research and solutions that:

• add value
• enhance public health
• sustain the environment

Our translational agri-food research will respond to the needs of a rapidly evolving sector. It will apply our vision to emerging issues steered by customer demand through the strategic guidance of an expert industrial advisory group.

Our initial priorities focus on three areas:

• Agri-diagnostics and biosecurity - to develop precision approaches and smart surveillance systems help protect agriculture and the natural environment from pests and pathogens
• Agri-food production and protection - improving the productivity and health of our crops and livestock
• Food safety and nutrition - ensuring our food and feed is safe and nutritious and that our supply chains are resilient

We will also develop a further cross-cutting theme on sustainable supply chains and land-use. This will underpin the core areas and facilitate a broad multi-disciplinary component to our research.