Latvia University of Agriculture - Latvijas Lauksaimniecības ...

A. Jemeļjanovs The Experience of RI “Sigra” towards Improved Research Capacityand Better Integration into European Research AreaThe Experience of RI “Sigra” towards Improved Research Capacityand Better Integration into European Research AreaA. JemeļjanovsResearch Institute of Biotechnology and Veterinary Medicine “Sigra”Abstract. Requirement of consumers towards quality and safety of food is increasing.The society is more materially secure, better informed and educated, and is paying moreattention to food quality and health issues than 10-15 years ago. Industries, workingin the field of growing and processing of animal food are interested to implementand use technologies which would ensure high-quality and healthy products. TheResearch Institute of Biotechnology and Veterinary Medicine “Sigra” was founded in1946 as the Institute of Zootechnics and Zoohygiene within the Latvian Academy ofSciences. In 1956, the Institute was reconstituted under the Ministry of Agriculture.Since 1963 it has been located in Sigulda, and in 1998 was integrated with the LatviaUniversity of Agriculture. The mission of “Sigra” is to develop scientific methods forobtaining high-quality, non-polluted, safe and healthy products from animals. The mainresearch areas are: production methods of animal-origin products, improvement ofthe genetic potential of domestic animals, practical application of the genetic potentialof various breeds, elaboration of selection conditions for healthy and economicallyprofitable breeds, investigation of beef cattle breed acclimatization possibilities andcross-breeding effectiveness, elaboration of a beef-production system, elaborationof fodder preparation methods for increasing of the preservation and feeding-value,ecological aspects in the field of production of animal-origin products, development ofnew methods for prophylaxis and treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases,organic farming, and elaboration of vaccines against infectious diseases and medicinesfrom plant extracts.Key words: consumers, food quality, safe food, healthy food.IntroductionFundamental sciences are critical to development since they act as the building blocksfor the new technologies. The development of new and improved tools for control ofanimal diseases is unlikely to be successful without the basic knowledge. A strong baseof fundamental science is essential if progress is to be made and if the competitivenessof European industry is to be improved.Five potential barriers to the efficient transfer of technology to enable development ofnew products are identified: quality management, intellectual property rights, facilitationof technology transfer, education and training, and infrastructure. It is essential tominimize or overcome the effects of these barriers if the EU is to remain competitive,and to produce innovative and new products. Many enabling factors are involved ina successful delivery of the new products. Perhaps one of the most important is theurgent need to establish a method for Europe to identify innovation, ensure that thescientists involved understand the need to acquire patents and to fill the critical gapwhich currently exists between the science and the major pharmaceutical companies.A series of recommendations for action and research are made to improve the potentialand reality of technology transfer.The Research Institute of Biotechnology and Veterinary Medicine “Sigra” (RI “Sigra”)of the Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU) is the leading research centre in Latvia andin the Baltic region in the field of elaboration of research for production of high-quality,uncontaminated, safe and healthy food of animal origin. “Sigra” has obtained significantexperience which can be used in the further scientific and research work. The developedpromising research teams at “Sigra” as well as the qualitative research carried out usinginsufficient research equipment demonstrated the feasible development potential. Inorder to become an excellence centre and to implement high-quality research, supportfor reinforcing research potential was necessary. Knowledge and experience improved,equipment updated, as well as targeted partnership with research centres in the EU,having similar scientific interest, is what “Sigra” was missing for achievement of the goaltill recently.102 Latvia University of Agriculture – 70, 2009