A Research Strategy
The potential abatement technologies and management systems that are discussed below cover the spectrum of research methodology:
- 'Discovery' (fundamental studies intended to understand processes that may identify future abatement measures).
- 'Proof-of-concept' or 'proof-of-function' studies (research that demonstrates the feasibility of a hypothesis and defines the parameters of a technology in a research context).
- 'Development' (research to develop the technology to an appropriable form).
We consider that any future research portfolio will need to be designed to accommodate the full spectrum of research methodology, and recognise that the discovery research such as that which is needed to identify ways to fundamentally alter biological processes of the rumen may be long-term (10+ years).
We favour a research portfolio designed to enable the progressive development and adoption of abatement measures. The development phase of the research should include an educational process that requires the active involvement of farmers who can offer feedback on the practicality of the technologies being developed.
Selection of research programmes to be included in the portfolio is likely to be based on the type of criteria that are currently employed by research funders. Relevance to sectoral strategic goals and objectives will be a key criterion. The distribution of funds between programmes in the three phases described above will change over time as results are assessed and the research strategy is revised.
| We recommend that the research portfolio for agricultural greenhouse gas abatement research be a balanced one that includes research programmes in the discovery, proof-of-concept and developmental phases of research and is designed to foster a progressive implementation of abatement technologies. |
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