News section
NIAB launches new field trials initiative
November 28, 2003

Earlier this year, NIAB completed the purchase of Westcrop, the Wiltshire-based specialist field trials and crop services company.

Simon Draper, NIAB's Deputy Director and Westcrop's new Chairman said, "Over the years, NIAB has worked with Westcrop on a number of joint projects. We knew the set-up and liked what we saw in terms of Westcrop’s adaptability and entrepreneurial approach. It seemed natural to come together and complement this with NIAB’s strong science base."

"We've made a firm commitment that Westcrop will retain its operational independence, with small company flexibility to match delivery to customers' expectations," continued Dr Draper.

Under the new arrangement, Westcrop will offer a full range of agrochemical, seed and variety services, including pan-European testing, covering all regions in the UK and 12 centres in the EU.

"With just one seed submission, we can do all the necessary work and report back with results relevant to the whole of Europe," said Dr Draper. "For specialist crops, we can even arrange testing in the USA.

European trial centres cover France (Macon/Burgundy in the east, Amiens in the north, Tours in the west and Toulouse in the south west), Italy (Bologna/Emilia Romagna in the north east, Piemont in the north west, Apulia in the south east and Sicily in the south), Spain and Germany. Three Californian centres and one in Arkansas are available in the USA.

"I am pleased that David Miles will continue as Managing Director and I look forward to working closely with him to develop and improve the service we provide to existing and new customers," added Dr Draper.

Details of field trial sites:

FRANCE

Macon/Burgundy (East Central) Headquarters of SynTech Research France, located in one of most productive vine growing regions of France. This location can provide European north and south GLP/GEP data requirements because of its geographical location, according to the EU regulations. This station can grow the majority of crops grown in France.

Amiens (North) This satellite site is located in an area where the major crops are cereals, sugar beet, potato and maize.

Tours (West Central) This satellite site is located in an area where the major crops are cereals, oilseed rape, trees/vines, maize and vegetables.

Toulouse (South West) This satellite site is located in an area where the major crops are cereals, vegetables, maize and trees/vines.

ITALY

Bologna/Emilia Romagna (North East) Headquarters of Agri2000/SynTech Research Italia, located in one of most productive growing regions of Italy. This location can provide the majority of crops grown in Italy such as trees/vines, vegetables, strawberry, potato, cereals, soya beans, maize, beans and sugar beet.

Piemonte (North West) This satellite site is located in an area where the major crops are rice, cereals, vines (wine), sugar beet, soya beans and maize.

Apulia (South East) This satellite site is located in an area where the major crops are vines (table), olives, citrus, stone fruits, artichoke and cereals.

Sicily (South) This satellite site is located in an area where the major crops are cereals, vegetables and citrus.

OTHER COUNTRIES

NIAB can also arrange field trials in Spain, Germany and USA.

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