DINZ keen to ensure that AgResearch’s Future Footprint deliv

27 September 2013

Media Release:

DINZ keen to ensure that AgResearch’s Future Footprint delivers for deer industry

Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) is looking forward to working with AgResearch in the implementation of its Future Footprint plan, which AgResearch announced yesterday it would proceed with.

DINZ Deputy Chair, Jerry Bell, said today that “there has certainly been concern in our industry about the impact of the Future Footprint plan on deer research. Industry representatives have sought assurances that deer research will be not diminished and have received a strong commitment from AgResearch to our on-going deer research programme”.

“People at the Invermay campus have been absolutely critical in the success of our industry, but the reality is that deer research has been contributed to from a range of campuses for some time now. What’s of greatest importance is the quality of, and the investment in those people, not necessarily where they are”.

“We believe that the Future Footprint plan presents opportunities for AgResearch to retain and attract top quality fundamental scientists to a large modern hub. It is extremely important that the change process associated with Future Footprint does not result in a short term loss of the people who are so critical delivering science for our industry”

“It’s our understanding that farm systems science, including for deer, will remain regionally focused, at Invermay”. Farm systems – including research to deliver environmental outcomes – will remain an important part of the deer industry’s research programme”.

DINZ has recently agreed a 5-year research programme with AgResearch and has received a strong commitment from AgResearch that the programme will be delivered.

“Our priority will be to work closely with AgResearch to minimise the risk of losing critical people, and to ensure that the new configuration improves AgResearch’s ability to deliver for the deer industry”.

ENDS

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