Research cuts unpopular

Press, 21 April 1984, Page 16

Research cuts unpopular

From

DIANA DEKKER,

in London The British Government will be asked to reconsider proposed cuts in the budget of the Welsh plant-breeding station, near Aberystwyth. The station, which has had a longstanding association with New Zealand centres of agricultural research, was recently told that its $6.6 million budget would be cut more than $1 million. The station is well known throughout the world and in New Zealand for its work on grasses, clovers, animal nutrition, and cereal breeding.

More than 250 representatives of academic organisations, farmer organisations, and unions met at the station recently to discuss the cuts. They decided to ask the British Government to reconsider its decision and to consult the staff at the station, the Welsh Office, and the staff at the University College of Wales. Several speakers at the meeting referred to the loss to New Zealand. Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos, a former Secretary of State for Wales and Minister of Agriculture, said the station was important both in a world context and to New

Zealand. Professor J. D. Hayes, professor of agriculture at the University College of Wales, emphasised the importance of barley breeding in the world and in New Zealand. A spokesman for the station said later that no action had yet been taken to make staff redundant — “so we have some time in hand.” If the cost-saving cuts are made, about one-fifth of the station’s work-force will have to go.