Scoil an Talmhaíochta, Eolaíocht an Chothaithe agus an Leighis Tréidliachta UCD UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine 1 Agriculture A major driver of economic recovery Presentation to Mr Brendan Smith, TD Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food 3 rd March 2008

UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine (SAFSVM) Largest School in UCD –Providing education and research on the agri-food continuum –ca. 100 academic staff, 90 post docs, > 1000 undergraduates, 80 Masters & 160 PhD students –€16.5M Research income 2007/08 4 Major Disciplines –Agriculture –Veterinary Medicine –Food Science –Biosystems Engineering 2

3 Education –Only Veterinary Education programme in Ireland All island focus –Only veterinary referral hospital –Resident Clinical Training European Specialist Diploma Research (and protection of the national food industry) –Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology & Risk Analysis –TB Diagnostic & Immunology Research –Badger Vaccine Project –UCD Herd Health initiative Strategic Role of Veterinary Medicine

4 Education –Only programme covering complete food chain in Ireland Supported by multi-disciplinary teaching and research Research –Institute of Food & Health –UCD Centre for Food Safety –Food for Health Ireland –Bioresources Research Centre (bio-energy & environmental impact of agri-food industry) Strategic Role of Agri-Food Programme

Agriculture is important again Indigenous industry, high value added and not geographically transient Economic crisis forcing re-evaluation of priorities More efficient and environmentally sustainable production systems Need a “smarter” knowledge-based agri-food industry capable of competing internationally Enhanced downstream innovation Education and research are fundamental prerequisites 5

Need to reposition agriculture centre-stage Past decade saw decreased emphasis on production agriculture Academic appointments & resources followed research opportunities e.g. move to bio- and IT programmes Key areas requiring consolidation: –production agriculture –green energy (biomass-to-energy) –environmental impacts 6

Key Strategic Objectives Reposition agri-food sector centre-stage Emphasis on: –efficient and environmentally sustainable production systems –value added through downstream processing –effective translation of knowledge into practice Deliver: –farm-to-fork; –farm-to-bio-products –farm-to-energy (Ireland, the Green Island) UCD key national role in delivering this 7

Requirements to achieve these objectives 8 1.Develop strategic alliance with DAFF (strategic planning) 2.Strengthen the role of UCD in developing and protecting the national agri-food & bio-resource industries (e.g. VPH, agri-business, bio-energy, bio-products) 3.Maximise the use of available resources, e.g. Develop Lyons-Backweston Research & Innovation Campus Enhance collaboration with Teagasc & industry 4.Make key joint appointments (leadership roles): Professorship of Veterinary Public Health (VPH) Professorship of Agriculture 5.Adjunct Appointments (Professorships)

Infrastructure & Opportunities for Collaboration Lyons – Backweston Innovation Campus –Veterinary Public health –Green Energy –Environmental Solutions –Bio-Sciences –Special tax status World Class facilities –Attract scientists –Industry –Strong University Linkages 9

Strategic Planning Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food involved in planning process –Ensure that UCD teaching and research meets the needs of industry and national recovery priorities –Supporting collaborative efforts Teagasc Universities –Undertake an annual review of performance against plans 10