The meat and fibre annual meeting didn’t carry a remit to support the retention of the sheep and deer genomics and genetics team at Invermay but decided it should review progress regularly to get better communication from AgResearch and put measurements in place.
Members felt poor communication by AgResearch had contributed to opposition to its plans for reorganisation.
The Southland branch, which promoted the retention remit, said it was vital for agriculture that AgResearch continued to deliver top-quality research and development to drive the sector forward.
Federated Farmers had supported the hub approach.
“However, the proposed restructure of AgResearch risks the loss of critical capability, a world-class centre for research and of valuable intellectual capital,” the Southland branch said.
“It is unlikely that the existing level of capability would be maintained or fully restored, which will severely impact on the contribution AgResearch can make to New Zealand agriculture.”
The branch said it was not an Otago-Southland issue but one for the country, with the prospect a lot of staff would disappear from the system or go overseas.
National vice-president Dr William Rolleston said farmers needed to look at the broader context and the long-term plan.
It was quite simple, he said. Farmers faced a battle for agriculture and government funding and could not afford to be isolated from other groups in the hub.
He asked if farmers wanted to keep something that was long past its use-by date to avoid making difficult decisions.
Otago chairman Simon McAtamney said there appeared to be a risk Invermay would haemorrhage scientists.
AgResearch had been vague about what the new sheep hub would do for the industry and had not covered itself in glory because it had not communicated well, he said.
Wairarapa provincial president Jamie Falloon said the federation should ensure retaining science capability was a priority for AgResearch.
Wairarapa chairman William Beetham said farmers had not been well informed about AgResearch’s plans.
There had to be better communication, measurement, and retention of quality scientists to get the best results for the industry.
Wanganui chairman Tim Matthews said AgResearch was a provider that had to be funded and if it was not providing what farmers wanted and was not getting results the option was for others to provide that service.
People who didn’t want to move from Invermay could form groups to compete with AgResearch, he said.
“The pressure is on AgResearch to perform. It they don’t, they are not the only provider.”
