METHAGENE Expert Working Group, Edinburgh 2016.

 

EU scientists and industry representatives spanning seven countries gathered for a Methagene working group at SRUC’s Edinburgh campus

Earlier this year experts within the METHAGENE Cost-Action group were invited to Edinburgh for a three day workshop to discuss breeding for methane reduction by Eileen Wall, professor at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and coordinator for working group 4. EU scientists attended the event on the 27^th – 29^th April at SRUC’s Edinburgh campus, alongside industry representatives from several companies, ensuring an international and diverse knowledge base. Following a welcome introduction from SRUC’s Vice Principal of Research, Prof. Geoff Simm, the working group discussed the benefits for breeding for methane reduction, gathered genetic parameters and devised potential approaches to national breeding goal scenarios. After the (non-trivial) task of defining which methane measurement is the most suitable trait, knowledge and experience was shared from academic, economic and corporate perspectives spanning seven countries, allowing a comprehensive discussion on the task. The organiser of the event and the chair of the Methagene network (Eileen Wall and Yvette de Haas) described the event as ‘your opinion on the outcome’. Due to the success of the event the team is due to meet again later in the year whilst enthused members have been working on their individual actions in the interim.