Easter Bush Campus hosts Princess Royal's visit

Her Royal Highness visited The Roslin Institute, which receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and is  incorporated with the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary  Studies at Easter Bush in Midlothian.

It was The Princess Royal's first to The Roslin Institute, since its  researchers moved to a new building officially opened in June 2011.

The Roslin Institute's research focuses on improving the health and  welfare of animals, which includes looking at how scientific findings  can be applied to improve human and veterinary medicine, livestock  practices and food security.

The Princess Royal spoke with researchers whose work includes  studying the genetics of cattle, sheep and pigs. This includes looking  at ways to prevent and treat infectious diseases that affect the farming  industry.

Her Royal Highness was also shown the site for the National Avian  Research Facility, currently under construction at the Easter Bush  Campus. The site represents the latest stage of major developments at  the campus, which recently received backing from the Scottish Government  in the form of a £10 million capital investment.

It has been wonderful to show the Princess Royal  round The Roslin Institute's new state-of-the-art building and to show  her how, together with the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and  other of our partners in the Easter Bush Research Consortium, we are  world leaders in the field of animal bioscience.

Professor Jean Manson

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The visit followed the Princess Royal's visit to the University of Edinburgh's newly refurbished Farm Animal Practice.

HRH The Princess Royal visited the University's Farm Animal Practice, which is part of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

The Princess Royal, who is the University's Chancellor as well as Patron of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, met staff, students and clients of the practice and officially opened its revamped facilities.

Her Royal Highness was greeted on arrival by the University's Principal, Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea and introduced to Professor David Argyle, Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Professor Neil Sargisson, head of the vet school's Farm Animal Section, then gave The Princess Royal a tour of the Farm Animal Practice.

The practice's updated facilities include a lecture room for students, a meeting room, new reception area, laboratory and pharmacy.

We are delighted that the Princess Royal has visited the Easter Bush campus to meet with staff and students from our Farm Animal Practice and discuss the latest developments in Farm Animal medicine, As Chancellor of the University, it is a great honour that the Princess Royal was able to perform the official opening of the farm animal practice.

Professor David Argyle

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