NSW Farmers’ Association Horticultural Committee chair, Peter Darley, said yesterday that the CSIRO’s plan to close the 89 year old research laboratory, due to significant Federal Government funding cuts, is a major blow to citrus growers, the wine industry and horticultural commodity groups along the Murray.

“The Merbein Laboratory delivers high quality science connected directly to the industry,” Mr Darley said.

“The closure of the research centre will not only reduce the amount of valuable research that is undertaken for the horticultural industry, but it will also cause the loss of 30 local jobs.

“Merbein has been the centre of horticultural research for almost a century, and the loss of such a valuable resource could devastate research into essential regional industries.

“It is hard to understand that at a time when farmers are facing increased pressures, such as drought and distorted world markets, which are all demanding significant research efforts, the Government continues to cut research funding.

“Research stations and the services they provide are vital, not just for farmers, but also for rural communities, the management of natural resources and the provision of employment in country NSW,” Mr Darley said.

The Merbein site carries out research on a number of horticultural commodities including citrus crops, wine, table grapes and drying grapes.

The facility is also a key resource for breeding programs as well as improved farm practices, machinery use and irrigation.

“The decision by the Federal Government to cut funding, resulting in the closure of Merbein is a huge blow to horticultural growers, and indicates that the Government still does not consider research stations as valuable; an opinion that we will be trying very hard to rectify,” concluded Mr Darley.

The NSW Farmers’ Association Executive Council meeting, at which Mr Darley spoke, ends today.