Scientists hit out at slashing of ag research fund
May 25th, 2009
The Union representing many of the country’s top agriculture scientists says slashing science funding is short-sighted and will make it harder for NZ to recover from the economic slump. The attack comes as National is set to dump Labour’s $700m Fast Forward fund over 10 to 15 years for agriculture and food research in favour of a scheme worth just $30m a year for three years.
National secretary of the Public Service Association (PSA) which represents 2500 scientists at eight Crown Research Institutes nationwide, Richard Wagstaff, says, “By slashing funding for science the Govt is making it harder for NZ to climb out of the recession.” He contends it is very short-sighted to cut research funding for pastoral and food industries which earns billions of dollars a year in exports for NZ. Pastoral farming generates 35% of NZ exports and is worth more than $10bn a year.
Agricultural scientist, Doug Edmeades, says Govts have allowed annual research funding to drop from $130m in 1990 to $70m in 2008 despite a proven return of 17% per annum. Meanwhile, Labour Party research spokeswoman, Moana Mackey, says in a time of recession the country should invest more.Waikato Innovation Park CEO, Derek Fairweather, says National’s smaller funding will not encourage firms to invest in research. It is “bemusing” an economic strategy could spend just $30m a year on research.
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