Horticultural Research

59.

Mr. Hind
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restructuring of horticultural research he has achieved in the last six months.

Mr. Curry
The Department is working closely with the Department of Education and Science and the Agricultural and Food Research Council, in consultation with representatives of the horticulture industry, to set up a new unified organisation for horticultural research based on a reconstituted British Society for Horticultural Research. The new BSHR will be the principal contractor for horticultural research and development in the United Kingdom and will carry out the bulk of Government-funded horticultural research. We believe the new organisation will provide both Government and industry with a more efficient and effective R and D service while maintaining the highest scientific standards.