Sustainable farm research 'under threat'

Sustainable farming research in Australia is facing a lack of strategic leadership, say experts. Dr John Williams of the Wentworth Group of Scientists was commenting on the planned closure of Land and Water Australia (LWA) announced in last week's Federal Budget. Williams says he has been unable to find any reference in the budget to replace the leadership role played by LWA. "I don't believe [the closure of LWA] has been thought through," says Williams, who is head of the Natural Resources Commission of New South Wales. LWA was set up in 1990 to integrate public good research into farming research. At a cost of $13 million a year, it oversees and funds research programs including those on dryland salinity, pesticide contamination and nutrient run-off.

Source: ABC Environment News in Science