The EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme have awarded a grant of just under €9 million to work on the development of vaccines to help control parasitic diseases of food animals.
The PARAGONE project (vaccines for animal parasites) is being led by Moredun Research Unit, on the outskirts of Edinburgh. It involves 17 international scientific and industrial partners working collaboratively to develop new vaccines to combat major parasitic diseases having a significant impact on both ruminant and poultry production systems worldwide.
Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Scientific Director of Moredun Research Institute said: "Research groups across the EU and further afield have combined forces and expertise in understanding complex parasites and in developing solutions to control or prevent them. Funding from the EU's Horizon 2020 programme will support a step-change in improving the health and welfare of ruminants and poultry affected by the most important diseases of food-producing species."
Currently, control of parasite infections relies almost exclusively on anti-parasitic drugs, which is not a sustainable option due to the increasing development of drug resistance among parasites, as well as consumer concerns about chemical residues in food.
Scientists believe that a viable alternative is to develop vaccines to help prevent disease and reduce the impact of parasite infection in food animals, providing a more sustainable, safer and environmentally approach to disease control.
Vaccine development against multi-cellular parasites is a major challenge in human and veterinary medicine, with only two commercial veterinary vaccines currently available. Despite the hurdles, a number of prototype multi-cellular parasite veterinary vaccines have shown promise recently.
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 135 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1180 per head and 253p per kg to average £898.30 and 215.8p, while 197 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1390 and 259.2p to level at £987.11 and 218.7p. Forty-nine store, B&W bullocks sold to £875 and 172.4p to average £751.53 and 165.7p.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart sold 2090 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £90 per head and 173p per kg to average 150p (+2p on the week).
The firm also had 4720 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to a top of £150 for Texels and averaged £71.84 (-20p), while light ewes peaked at £70 for Lleyns and levelled at £45.56 (+£2.57). Rams sold to £170 for a Suffolk and averaged £80.08 (-£14.86).
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