London, England
March 17, 2004
The first of two agreements which
create new centres of excellence for horticulture research in
the UK was signed today by Defra Minister Larry Whitty.
Following a restructuring of Horticulture Research International
(HRI), from 1 April HRI will operate as two independent
organisations - Warwick-HRI, part of the University of Warwick,
and East Malling Research in Kent.
Defra is investing over £50million in the new organisations
which includes:
* £36.2 million for Warwick-HRI over eight years for research
and development
* £1.3 million for Warwick-HRI over five years to maintain the
Vegetable Gene Bank at Wellesbourne
* £12.3 million for East Malling Research over six years for
research and development.
Lord Whitty today signed an agreement establishing East Malling
Research, and will sign the agreement for Warwick HRI on 19
March.
Lord Whitty said:
"This will provide a secure platform for research and
development to benefit the UK horticulture industry. HRI can now
look forward to a stable future, and concentrate on what it does
best - delivering high quality science for the benefit of the
horticulture industry and others. The new HRI will be better
placed to exploit new opportunities, forge new alliances, and
respond to the needs of industry."
Horticulture Research
International (HRI) was established in 1990 as a
Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by Defra. It was based at
sites in Wellesbourne in Warwickshire, Kirton in Lancashire,
East Malling in Kent, Wye in Kent and Efford in Yorkshire.
A quinquennial review of HRI was carried out in 2002. The report
of the review team is available at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/science/QR_HRI/default.asp
Following the review, Defra ministers decided that HRI should be
restructured. Details were announced in July 2003. See
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2003/030714c.htm
A summary of the agreements establishing Warwick HRI and East
Malling Research is also available at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/science/QR_HRI/default.asp |