Agricultural science conference

AGRICULTURAL scientists now have the opportunity to express their true vocation in pursuit of maximising profit through the application of good scientific research and advice, it was stressed in Waterford last night.

John Grogan, president of the Agricultural Science Association, whose annual conference opened in the city, where it continues today, said this is a critical challenge for the profession and it must be grasped with full vigour.

"We must move on from the form-filling era," he said, explaining that the conference theme, "Freedom to Farm Ireland's Opportunity," evolved from the fact that decoupling is now a reality and WTO negotiations have reached a critical point.