A consortium of UK scientists and industry partners has been awarded co-funding of almost £1.3 million from the Technology Strategy Board for a research project that could provide major benefits to the salmon industry in the UK and Ireland and improve sustainability of terrestrial farming.

The four - year project led by EWOS in Scotland, involves five other industrial partners: BioMar Ltd, WN Lindsay, Limagrain, Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd and Harbro Ltd, along with five academic partners: The Universities of Stirling, Aberdeen and St. Andrews, The James Hutton Institute and the Scottish Agricultural College.

The production of salmon, pigs and poultry is over-reliant on imported soy protein which has significant sustainability and supply concerns. A simple, low-cost process will separate faba beans into a protein concentrate, suitable for use in salmon feeds, and a starch concentrate for use in pig and poultry feeds, reducing dependence on imported soy protein and fishmeal.

Douglas Low, Managing Director of EWOS Scotland said “This research project addresses highly relevant issues for the aquaculture and agricultural industries’ concerns related to supply and sustainability. Improving the sustainability of salmon feed is at the heart of our business and is central to meeting our customers’ sustainability ambitions”

In addition, the increased culture of beans will result in major reductions in the use of artificial fertilizers, which are made from fossil fuels, and instead rely on the nitrogen fixing properties of beans as a natural fertilizer and soil improver. Not only does this reduce fertilizer costs for farmers but also has significant environmental benefits related to reduced carbon and nitrogen usage.

The project will also investigate the development of new bean strains specifically targeted to salmon production which requires higher-protein levels and lower anti-nutritional compounds than products used for land animal production.

Image courtesy of UK Agriculture

For further details please contact:

Lindsay Pollock
Lindsay.pollock@ewos.com