ORC response to AgResearch restructuring decision
ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead says Agresearch’s final restructuring plans released today still threatens to rob its
Invermay campus of much of its valuable research capability despite the company’s decision to reduce the number of
planned redundancies.
“I am very disappointed to see the genetics team moving to Lincoln and the large number of science and technical staff
still moving,” Mr Woodhead said.
“There is a huge risk of a loss of experience and crucial staff as a result and I hope AgResearch works aggressively to
ensure staff are looked after.”
“We are concerned that AgResearch will be fit for purpose at the end of this restructure - science is about people and
not buildings. Our work historically with Invermay staff has centred on collaborating to produce good environmental
outcomes.”
“This proposal has been roundly condemned by the industry it serves, and ram breeders in particular. Clearly Agresearch
has not listened to key stakeholders and their own staff,” Mr Woodhead said
“I would urge the Agresearch board and senior management to reflect again on the proposed scale of this restructuring
and the important scientific, social, and economic consequences of going down such a radical path.”
Mr Woodhead said he welcomed Agresearch’s decision to increase the number of staff at the campus from a projected 26 by
2017 to a projected 38, and the proposed relocation of genomics staff from the University of Otago to the campus.
He was also pleased to see the proposed retention of the deer herd, deer research staff, and sheep farm at Invermay.
Despite these concessions, AgResearch’s revised plan would still be a blow to many Invermay employees and their families
and the wider Otago-Southland community which the campus services, Mr Woodhead said.
ends