Keep budget cuts away from science and technology, says ASA

THE organisation representing graduates in the agriculture and food industry warned last night about the danger of targeting science and technology for budget cuts as a solution to the current difficulties in the public finances.

Gerry Scully, President of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA), said a reduction in investment in agriculture and food research, advice and innovation would starve the sector of competitive, cutting-edge technology.

Addressing the opening of the ASA annual conference in Galway, he said the massive cutbacks in the late 1980s put the Irish agriculture and food industry at a serious disadvantage relative to its international competitors.