College ‘must not be shut’
It is understood the board of the State body has not yet taken any decision on the future of the college.
Labour agriculture spokesperson Mary Upton said the budget for Teagasc had been slashed by 13% in the Estimates.
She said the agricultural research and development authority is being forced into cutting back on expenditure because of Government policy.
Dr Upton said the farm in Athenry is in transition to becoming fully organic.
This makes good investment sense in the light of food quality requirements, environmental factors, reduced nitrogen output and trends in Europe.
A course in organic farming is planned for autumn 2003 in Mellows.
“Organic farming should be promoted, not threatened,” said Dr Upton.
She said the training of farm managers was also anchored in the college just one year ago. It is to be uprooted again, if the sale goes ahead.
Many managers have made plans to attend training courses in basic agriculture in Mellows College in October.
The courses were specifically for people in employment, with a degree or trade, who are eligible for installation aid. Many have made plans to do the course.
“The proposal to close Mellows is driven by the need for Teagasc to save 15m this year, thanks to Government cuts,” said Dr Upton.
“This is short-sighted on the part of the Government and the proposal to sell the college should be rigorously resisted by the minister.
