About Us
The Moredun Foundation is a registered charity that exists to promote the highest possible standards for animal health and welfare through research and education. It is dedicated to a simple belief that the greatest benefit to animal welfare is the cure or prevention of disease. The Foundation supports a broad and varied range of research initiatives within the Moredun Research Institute, carefully selected to push back the frontiers of disease control and establish ever-improving methods of husbandry care.
It was enlightened farmers dedicated to improving the health of their livestock that formed the Moredun Foundation in 1920. This soon developed into a partnership of farming and scientific expertise that has given considerably to the improvement of animal health and welfare over the years. The virtual elimination of diseases such as pulpy kidney, blackleg, braxy and lamb dysentery back in the 1940's is a prime example of the pioneering work that was carried out at our research institute. Not only did we lead the research into these diseases back then, but were responsible for producing the first vaccines against them. Today, most farms will regularly use medicines and vaccines that have either been researched, developed or tested at the Foundations' own Moredun Research Institute.
Moredun's work has a National impact on livestock disease
- Identification of the cause of 18 diseases
- Characterisation of the pathogenesis of 23 diseases
- Development of 12 vaccines of which 8 are marketed
- Implementation of treatment strategies for 12 diseases
- Provision of surveillance for 36 diseases
The Moredun Foundation is committed in promoting public understanding and appreciation of science and to encourage technology transfer to the agricultural community and is proud of the close working relationship it has developed with the industry. With around 7,000 members and supporters throughout the UK and abroad, The Moredun Foundation ensures that any information on breakthroughs made in animal disease research, are quickly passed onto the people that matter; the farmers, vets, students and agriculturalists.
The Moredun Foundation produces regular technical newsheets making the pioneering work of the researchers accessible to farmers and others with an interest in improving animal health. As well as speaking at numerous scientific conferences, Moredun scientists provide articles for the farming and veterinary press as well as Moredun's own website. The Moredun Foundation also holds animal health meetings throughout the UK for farmers and their vets as well as attending several agricultural shows each year. This continuous contact with the farming community ensures that Moredun's research remains rooted in the practical needs of farming today.