To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the likely effect will be of the conclusions of his Department’s summer budget review on funds available to the Institute for Grasslands and Environmental Research in each of the next three years. (116052)

No ongoing research projects at the Institute for Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) have been affected by the recent budgetary reductions. Defra allocated over £150 million to research and development (R&D) in 2006-07, reflecting the value the Department places on research. However R&D spending is not ring-fenced and cannot be protected from other competing pressures.

Defra-funded research at IGER in 2006-07 is currently £5.4 million, with ongoing spend for 2007-08 and 2008-09 at £2.1 million and £1.1 million respectively. Negotiations are progressing for further new research to start at IGER during 2007-08 and subsequently.