KIM BOOTH, Greens Primary Industries Spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today reiterated their concerns for the future of the Grove and Cressy Agricultural Research Stations after the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) accused the Bartlett Government of intending to shed both Research Stations as a cost-cutting measure.
Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP said he raised this issue in July [1] after Primary Industries Minister David Llewellyn revealed his intention to axe the Extensive Agriculture Branch, and to pass the two Research Stations onto the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) which lacks the funds to manage them.
Mr Booth also said that Tasmanian farmers are facing a changing climate, as well as a flood of cheap imported food, and the Grove and Cressy Research Stations are increasingly critical to the future of agriculture in Tasmania.
“The TFGA are right to raise concerns about the future of the Grove and Cressy Research Stations – TIAR are already stretched for funds and there is serious doubt that they can afford to manage these Research Stations,” said Mr Booth.
“When Minister Llewellyn revealed that he was intending to axe the Extensive Agriculture branch the Greens were immediately concerned for the future of the Research Stations, and it is now clear that our fears were justified.”
“I am seeking an urgent meeting with the TFGA to discuss this issue, as well as potential solutions.”
“Primary Industries Minister David Llewellyn must acknowledge the pressing need for continued research into agriculture in Tasmania, and reverse his short-sighted decision to offload the Grove and Cressy Research Stations,” said Mr Booth.
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[1] “JOBS AND FUTURE UNCLEAR AFTER EXTENSIVE AGRICULTURE CUTS: Minister Axes Branch But Cannot Explain Future Arrangements,” Media Release, Kim Booth MP, 2nd July 2009, http://tas.greens.org.au/News/view_MR.php?ActionID=3843
