Joint partnership renewed for the benefit of sheep farmers

19th June 2015

An important and beneficial collaboration between the Moredun Foundation and National Sheep Association (NSA) has been renewed today (Friday 19th June) with a second three-year term agreed between the two organisations.

Moredun and NSA have a historic relationship of working closely together, and cemented this in September 2011 with a membership agreement. Since then all NSA members have also been complementary associate members of the Moredun Foundation, receiving the invaluable Moredun technical news sheets on a range of animal health issues, as well as its regular members’ magazine.

With both organisations having a strong presence at the Royal Highland Show this week, welcoming many sheep farmers over the course of the four days, it presented an ideal opportunity to announce the renewal of the agreement for a three-year term running through to June 2018. Moredun is hosting a reception on its stand at the show on Friday afternoon, which will see the renewal formally welcomed by the two organisations.

Samuel Wharry, NSA Chairman, says: “The NSA-Moredun collaborative approach to sharing information has been benefitting NSA members for some time now, and regular feedback tells us it is a hugely appreciated part of our membership package. The research and development work Moredun does on behalf of the global sheep industry is remarkable, and to ensure our members gain directly from the information issued is something we are keen to continue.

“The agreement is very much a two-way thing, as NSA ensures the work Moredun does is relevant and participatory – our sheep farming members know which are the key animal health issues they need help dealing with, and the agreement means the work Moredun does is disseminated to a large number of producers. It is an excellent example of a good working relationship between the scientific community and farmers on the ground.”

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Moredun Foundation, says: “We are delighted to renew our joint partnership with the NSA, which has greatly benefitted Moredun by improving our connectivity with sheep farmers across the UK enabling us to focus our research where it can provide most benefit to sheep health and welfare.”

All NSA members are automatically Moredun members, unless they inform NSA otherwise. Livestock farmers are also encouraged to be members of Moredun individually, if they would like voting rights within the organisation, and also to support the invaluable work Moredun does for the industry.

Notes to editors:-

  • For more information contact NSA Communications Manager Joanne Briggs on 07807 237982 or joanne@nationalsheep.org.uk.
  • The National Sheep Association is an organisation that represents the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK. It is funded by its membership of sheep farmers and its activities involve it in every aspect of the sheep industry. More at www.nationalsheep.org.uk and www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk.
  • The Moredun Foundation (Moredun) is a registered charity committed to promoting animal health and welfare through research and education. It governs the work of Moredun Research Institute, which is recognized worldwide for its research into infectious diseases of farmed livestock. Established by farmers in 1920, Moredun's work has always been firmly based on addressing the needs of the farming industry and Moredun's research has led to the development of many vaccines, diagnostic tests and improved treatment strategies for farm animals across the globe. More at www.moredun.org.uk.