Institute Of Grassland And Environmental Research Station At Gogerddan

EDM number 1830 in 2005-06, proposed by Elfyn Llwyd on 16/03/2006.

That this House notes the vital importance of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) station at Gogerddan near Aberystwyth for the economy and research base of the area; recognises the station's international reputation and the historic and continuing excellence of its work in plant-breeding, animal science and nutrition and other agri-environmental research, and its importance in enabling farmers in Wales and elsewhere to meet the challenge of adaptation and diversification; further notes the unique status of IGER Gogerddan as the only research council-funded science research station in Wales; expresses its concern at the effect of the recently-announced reduction of £3 million per annum in funding by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Areas (DEFRA) and the resultant loss of 40 jobs; is concerned at the potential threat to the station resulting from the possible merging of IGER with Rothamsted Research; and calls upon DEFRA and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, working with the Welsh Assembly Government, to ensure that the crucial role of IGER Gogerddan is maintained.

This motion has been signed by a total of 20 MPs.