The Chinese Government’s Minister Counsellor for Science and Technology has paid a visit to SCRI, Scotland’s leading centre for crop research on the outskirts of Dundee.

Dr Wang Baoqing, who’s based at the country’s embassy in London, was accompanied by his wife and a small team of science and technology advisors.

The visit was hosted by SCRI’s commercial wing, Mylnefield Research Services Ltd.  Dr Baoqing was given a tour of the research centre and watched presentations on current potato research, soft fruit research and environmental science.

The delegation also discussed ways of strengthening UK – China links in agriculture and crop research.

China has huge potential as a market for seed potatoes and other agricultural produce.   The land area given over to potato growing in China accounts for about a quarter of the total world production. It’s a major food source in China and most provinces cultivate potatoes.

Following the visit, the Chinese team said they expected further missions to the UK next year and hoped to develop stronger links.

The Managing Director of Mylnefield Research Services, Dr Nigel Kerby, said “We are very proud of the unique capability we have to join research with commercially useful products. The research may be interesting to scientists but the products are very important in raising the living standards of people throughout the world.  It is the social benefits of our research that we are very keen to see extended through the world…whether that is potatoes, fruit or the environmental benefits more generally.”

More information from:

Phil Taylor, Head of Communications, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 562731.