Farming Research Budget In Focus

It has been claimed that 'food security' is now more in the minds of government ministers than it has been for some decades.

This, in turn, should mean more priority given to funding for agricultural research, even amidst UK public spending cuts.

That's according to Northern Ireland Agricultural Research & Development Council Chairman, James Campbell, who made his comments while addressing the AGM of AgriSearch, the organisation run by the Northern Ireland Agricultural Research & Development (R&D) Council.

"No industry remains prosperous without continuing investment in research and development," he said.

"In NI commercially focused agricultural R&D is vital if local farms businesses are to compete in a volatile, global market and offer attractive careers to young people," James commented.

"It is logical that ministers at regional and national level reduce spending on levels of administration. But it is not logical to cut research, an investment in the future efficiency of farming, of food safety and food security," he insisted

He also expressed concern about the number of separate organisations dealing with agricultural research, advice and education in NI.

He felt that this was adding to administrative costs overall, and that it had been a backward step to separate the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) from DARD and Queens University.

"Time and effort must be spent in re-establishing a 'joined up' approach," commented Campbell.

"It will require a positive attitude from all involved to get valuable research commissioned quickly and the results disseminated effectively," he said, also noting that AgriSearch has welcomed the appointment of Dr Sinclair Mayne earlier this year as Departmental Scientific Advisor within DARD.

"It is hoped that this will speed up the process of commissioning research," he said.

(BMcC/GK)