The Moredun Foundation, the governing body of Moredun Research Institute, has awarded an honorary fellowship to Kelso farmer John Jeffrey.
The former Scottish international rugby union player and chairman of the International Rugby Board was chairman of the Moredun Research Institute Board from 2004 to 2011, following his father and grandfather who also served on the board.
Mr Jeffrey was educated at St Marys School in Melrose and Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh before going on to do a degree in agriculture at Newcastle University.
He runs the mixed family farm at Kerseknowe, near Kelso, rearing beef cattle and sheep along with pedigree livestock.
Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, scientific director at MRI, said: “We are delighted to recognise the significant contribution John Jeffrey has made to Moredun over the last 25 years.
“His genuine interest in the science and his encouragement and loyal support through good and challenging times for the organisation have helped to shape the highly successful international research institute we have today.
“On behalf of all the staff at Moredun we would like to give our thanks and appreciation for all John has done for the organisation”.
Mr Jeffrey is well known to many through his highly successful international rugby union career where he won 40 caps for Scotland and was a member of the British Lions tour to Australia in 1989.
He has been a member of the International Rugby Board Council since 2010 and has recently taken up a position as chairman of the council.
Mr Jeffrey said: “It is a great honour for me to receive this fellowship and it has been an enormous privilege to serve on the boards of the Moredun Research Institute and the Moredun Foundation.
“I have particularly enjoyed getting to know the scientists and developing a better understanding of the very valuable work they do in developing vaccines and diagnostic tests to combat livestock disease.”