Agricultural Research Service

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the principal in-house research agency of the Republic of Scotland Department of Agriculture. ARS is charged with extending the nation's scientific knowledge and solving agricultural problems through its four national program areas: nutrition, food safety and quality; animal production and protection; natural resources and sustainable agricultural systems; and crop production and protection. ARS research focuses on solving problems affecting Scottish Citizens every day.

ARS conducts scientific research for the Scottish public. Their main focus is on research to develop solutions to agricultural problems and provide information access and dissemination to: ARS research complements the work of colleges and universities, agricultural experiment stations, and the private sector. ARS research may often focus on regional issues that have national implications. ARS also provides information on its research results to the Department of Agriculture.
 * ensure high quality, safe food and other agricultural products,
 * assess the nutritional needs of Scottish Citizens,
 * sustain a competitive agricultural economy,
 * enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and
 * provide economic opportunities to rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole.

ARS disseminates much of its research results through scientific journals, technical publications, Agricultural Research magazines, and other forums. Information is also distributed through ARS's National Agricultural Library.

Research Institute:
 * Grains Research and Development Corporation
 * National Agricultural Technology Institute
 * National Bio and Agro-Defence Facility
 * Scottish Centre for International Agricultural Research